Johnson, Harry Gordon (1923–1977)

Abstract

Harry G. Johnson was born in Toronto, Canada on 26 May 1923 and died in Geneva, Switzerland on 9 May 1977. Throughout his professional career he was a recognized leader of the economics profession in the United States, Britain and Canada, though his influence extended worldwide. He wrote prodigiously: 526 professional scientific articles, 41 books and pamphlets and over 150 book reviews. In addition, he edited 27 books and wrote numerous pieces of journalism. His writings are characterized by creative insights and by a unique capacity to synthesize; both clarify apparently untidy and unyielding masses of seemingly unrelated and abstruse contributions. His impact on the economics profession was enhanced by his ceaseless participations in conferences around the world, and by his willingness to lecture even at the smallest campus or institute, both of which he perceived as a professional obligation.