Robert E. Wright
Encyclopedia
Robert E. Wright is a business, economic, financial, and monetary historian and the inaugural Rudy and Marilyn Nef Family Chair of Political Economy
at Augustana College
in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
. He is also a research economist at the National Bureau of Economic Research
, an editor of Pickering & Chatto of London’s financial history and perspectives in economic and social history series, and an editor for Financial History, the magazine of the newly revamped Museum of American Finance
. He is also director of the Thomas Willing Institute for the Study of Financial Markets, Institutions, and Regulations.
in 1987, Wright took degrees in History from Buffalo State College
, where he was a member of the All-College Honors Program, and the University at Buffalo (Ph.D., 1997). Since 2001 he has authored or co-authored six books on early U.S. financial and political history, two tomes about major corporations (Guardian Life and publisher John Wiley & Sons
), a popular exposé of the economic and contractual problems plaguing the U.S. construction industry, an open Money and Banking textbook available for free on the website of textbook publisher Flat World Knowledge and a major critique of U.S. public policies related to bailouts and the banking, construction, health care, higher education, and retirement savings industries. New England Publishing Associates agents his work.
Fubarnomics: A Lighthearted, Serious Look at America's Economic Ills, which came out of Buffalo publisher Prometheus in August 2010, generated considerable interest, including an interview on the John Batchelor Show that aired on 17 July, an appearance on the Willis Report on 20 July, a review in the L.A. Times that appeared on 27 August, and an interview on the Dylan Ratigan Show on 7 September.
Wright’s One Nation Under Debt (formerly “Born in Debt”), was published by McGraw Hill in early 2008 and generated substantial media attention, including interviews on The Joey Reynolds Show, The Dr. Pat Show, Lou Dobb’s radio show (twice), Larry Kane’s Voice of Reason, and other outlets. Choice named the book one of the best economics titles of 2008 and the National Chamber Foundation named it "One of the Books That Drive the Free Enterprise Debate." His earlier research also won some minor awards. Wright has several books forthcoming, including an edited volume called Bailouts: Public Money, Private Profit for the Social Science Research Council
, and a book on the role the real estate mortgage crisis of the 1760s played in the coming of the American Revolution discussed at length in the New York Times.
Although considered “much underrated” by some and not yet as widely known as Harvard financial and diplomatic historian Niall Ferguson
, Wright is increasingly attracting the attention of mainstream media outlets as well as the blogosphere due to the unusual combination of detailed scholarship and interesting prose stylings that characterize much of his work. The financial crisis of 2008 greatly raised Wright’s profile by highlighting the importance of his research agenda, which he often summarizes in his “finance: history and policy” blog. Within a few months of the failure of Lehman Brothers
, Wright appeared on David Asman’s Fox News special “Saving Our Economy: What’$ Next?,” On Point with Tom Ashbrook
on NPR
, and several other television and radio programs. He was also quoted in the Chicago Tribune, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Times, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and several other major newspapers. He also published opinion editorials in the Los Angeles Times, Reason, McKinsey Quarterly, DismalScientist, and other publications and websites. He also recently authored a Money and Banking textbook for cutting edge publisher Flat World Knowledge
Wright frequently collaborates with other leading scholars, including Richard E. Sylla of New York University
’s Stern School of Business, where Wright taught from 2003 until 2009. Before that, Wright taught economics at the University of Virginia
, where he teamed up with Virginia economist Ron Michener in a dispute against Farley Grubb, an economist at the University of Delaware
, over the nature of colonial and early U.S. money
and monetary systems.
, a Deist, and such a fan of Alexander Hamilton
that according to the Wall Street Journal he named one of his sons “Alexander Hamilton Was Wright,” a revelation that spurred commentary on the web. His review of Ron Chernow
’s biography of Hamilton was written in a faux eighteenth century style and hints at Wright’s dry sense of humor.
Political economy
Political economy originally was the term for studying production, buying, and selling, and their relations with law, custom, and government, as well as with the distribution of national income and wealth, including through the budget process. Political economy originated in moral philosophy...
at Augustana College
Augustana College (South Dakota)
Augustana College is a private, liberal arts college affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States. The campus makes the school the largest private university in South Dakota...
in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
South Dakota
South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
. He is also a research economist at the National Bureau of Economic Research
National Bureau of Economic Research
The National Bureau of Economic Research is an American private nonprofit research organization "committed to undertaking and disseminating unbiased economic research among public policymakers, business professionals, and the academic community." The NBER is well known for providing start and end...
, an editor of Pickering & Chatto of London’s financial history and perspectives in economic and social history series, and an editor for Financial History, the magazine of the newly revamped Museum of American Finance
Museum of American Finance
The Museum of American Finance, is an American financial-history museum, located in the Financial District of the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York....
. He is also director of the Thomas Willing Institute for the Study of Financial Markets, Institutions, and Regulations.
Education and Research
After graduating from Fairport High SchoolFairport High School
Fairport High School is a public high school serving the tenth through twelfth grades in Fairport, NY and is part of the Fairport Central School District. Principal Christopher Salinas is currently in his second year at FHS....
in 1987, Wright took degrees in History from Buffalo State College
Buffalo State College
The State University of New York College at Buffalo, referred to as Buffalo State College, often referred to colloquially as Buff State, is a public, liberal arts college in Buffalo, New York, United States and is part of the State University of New York. Buffalo State was founded in 1871 as the...
, where he was a member of the All-College Honors Program, and the University at Buffalo (Ph.D., 1997). Since 2001 he has authored or co-authored six books on early U.S. financial and political history, two tomes about major corporations (Guardian Life and publisher John Wiley & Sons
John Wiley & Sons
John Wiley & Sons, Inc., also referred to as Wiley, is a global publishing company that specializes in academic publishing and markets its products to professionals and consumers, students and instructors in higher education, and researchers and practitioners in scientific, technical, medical, and...
), a popular exposé of the economic and contractual problems plaguing the U.S. construction industry, an open Money and Banking textbook available for free on the website of textbook publisher Flat World Knowledge and a major critique of U.S. public policies related to bailouts and the banking, construction, health care, higher education, and retirement savings industries. New England Publishing Associates agents his work.
Publicity and Impact
Wright's most recent book, The Wall Street Journal's Guide to the 50 Economic Indicators That Really Matter, is a joint effort with Wall Street Journal reporter Simon Constable. Published in early May 2011, it has already led to several radio and one television interview featuring one or both authors. Early reviews were extremely favorable.Fubarnomics: A Lighthearted, Serious Look at America's Economic Ills, which came out of Buffalo publisher Prometheus in August 2010, generated considerable interest, including an interview on the John Batchelor Show that aired on 17 July, an appearance on the Willis Report on 20 July, a review in the L.A. Times that appeared on 27 August, and an interview on the Dylan Ratigan Show on 7 September.
Wright’s One Nation Under Debt (formerly “Born in Debt”), was published by McGraw Hill in early 2008 and generated substantial media attention, including interviews on The Joey Reynolds Show, The Dr. Pat Show, Lou Dobb’s radio show (twice), Larry Kane’s Voice of Reason, and other outlets. Choice named the book one of the best economics titles of 2008 and the National Chamber Foundation named it "One of the Books That Drive the Free Enterprise Debate." His earlier research also won some minor awards. Wright has several books forthcoming, including an edited volume called Bailouts: Public Money, Private Profit for the Social Science Research Council
Social Science Research Council
The Social Science Research Council is a U.S.-based independent nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing research in the social sciences and related disciplines...
, and a book on the role the real estate mortgage crisis of the 1760s played in the coming of the American Revolution discussed at length in the New York Times.
Although considered “much underrated” by some and not yet as widely known as Harvard financial and diplomatic historian Niall Ferguson
Niall Ferguson
Niall Campbell Douglas Ferguson is a British historian. His specialty is financial and economic history, particularly hyperinflation and the bond markets, as well as the history of colonialism.....
, Wright is increasingly attracting the attention of mainstream media outlets as well as the blogosphere due to the unusual combination of detailed scholarship and interesting prose stylings that characterize much of his work. The financial crisis of 2008 greatly raised Wright’s profile by highlighting the importance of his research agenda, which he often summarizes in his “finance: history and policy” blog. Within a few months of the failure of Lehman Brothers
Lehman Brothers
Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. was a global financial services firm. Before declaring bankruptcy in 2008, Lehman was the fourth largest investment bank in the USA , doing business in investment banking, equity and fixed-income sales and trading Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (former NYSE ticker...
, Wright appeared on David Asman’s Fox News special “Saving Our Economy: What’$ Next?,” On Point with Tom Ashbrook
Tom Ashbrook
Tom Ashbrook is an American journalist and radio broadcaster. He hosts the public radio call-in program, On Point.-Early life and education:...
on NPR
NPR
NPR, formerly National Public Radio, is a privately and publicly funded non-profit membership media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States. NPR was created in 1970, following congressional passage of the Public Broadcasting...
, and several other television and radio programs. He was also quoted in the Chicago Tribune, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Times, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and several other major newspapers. He also published opinion editorials in the Los Angeles Times, Reason, McKinsey Quarterly, DismalScientist, and other publications and websites. He also recently authored a Money and Banking textbook for cutting edge publisher Flat World Knowledge
Flat World Knowledge
Flat World Knowledge is a publisher of college-level open textbooks and educational supplements founded in 2007 by Eric Frank and Jeff Shelstad. Company headquarters are in Irvington, New York. As of December 2010, the publisher has over 74 textbooks in development or published. Flat World...
Wright frequently collaborates with other leading scholars, including Richard E. Sylla of New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
’s Stern School of Business, where Wright taught from 2003 until 2009. Before that, Wright taught economics at the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
, where he teamed up with Virginia economist Ron Michener in a dispute against Farley Grubb, an economist at the University of Delaware
University of Delaware
The university is organized into seven colleges:* College of Agriculture and Natural Resources* College of Arts and Sciences* Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics* College of Earth, Ocean and Environment* College of Education and Human Development...
, over the nature of colonial and early U.S. money
Money
Money is any object or record that is generally accepted as payment for goods and services and repayment of debts in a given country or socio-economic context. The main functions of money are distinguished as: a medium of exchange; a unit of account; a store of value; and, occasionally in the past,...
and monetary systems.
Personal Views
Wright is a libertarianLibertarianism
Libertarianism, in the strictest sense, is the political philosophy that holds individual liberty as the basic moral principle of society. In the broadest sense, it is any political philosophy which approximates this view...
, a Deist, and such a fan of Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton was a Founding Father, soldier, economist, political philosopher, one of America's first constitutional lawyers and the first United States Secretary of the Treasury...
that according to the Wall Street Journal he named one of his sons “Alexander Hamilton Was Wright,” a revelation that spurred commentary on the web. His review of Ron Chernow
Ron Chernow
Ronald Chernow is an American biographer. He is the author of Washington: A Life, Alexander Hamilton, The House of Morgan, and Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr., among other works...
’s biography of Hamilton was written in a faux eighteenth century style and hints at Wright’s dry sense of humor.