Encyclopedia, Difference between revisions of "Ragnar Frisch" - New World

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{{Infobox Scientist
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'''Ragnar Anton Kittil Frisch''' (March 3, 1895 – January 31, 1973) was a  [[Norway|Norwegian]] [[economist]].
| name = Ragnar Frisch
 
| image =
 
| caption =
 
| birth_date = [[March 3]], [[1895]]
 
| birth_place = [[Oslo]]
 
| death_date = [[January 31]], [[1973]]
 
| death_place = [[Oslo]]
 
| residence = [[Image:Flag_of_Norway.svg|20px|]] [[Norway]]
 
| nationality = [[Image:Flag_of_Norway.svg|20px|]] [[Norway|Norwegian]]
 
| field = [[Economics]]
 
| work_institution = [[University of Oslo]]
 
| alma_mater = [[University of Oslo]]
 
| doctoral_advisor =
 
| doctoral_students =
 
| known_for  = [[Econometrics]]</br>[[Production theory basics|Production theory]]
 
| prizes = [[Image:Nobel.svg|20px]] [[Nobel Prize in Economics]] (1969)
 
| religion =
 
| footnotes =
 
}}
 
'''Ragnar Anton Kittil Frisch''' ([[March 3]], [[1895]] &ndash; [[January 31]], [[1973]]) was a  [[Norway|Norwegian]] [[economist]].
 
  
 
==Biography==
 
==Biography==
Ragnar Frisch<ref name=autobio>[http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/economics/laureates/1969/frisch-autobio.html Frisch, Ragnar, "Autobiography"], published in ''Nobel Lectures, Economics 1969-1980'', Editor Assar Lindbeck, World Scientific Publishing Co., Singapore, 1992</ref> was born on March 3, 1895 in [[Oslo]] as the son of [[goldsmith|gold-]] and [[silversmith]] Anton Frisch and Ragna Fredrikke b. Kittilsen. Being expected to continue his family bussines, Frisch became an [[Apprenticeship|apprentice]] in the David Andersen workshop in Oslo. However, at his mother's advice, while doing his apprenticeship Frisch also started studying at the [[University of Oslo]]. His chosen topic was economics, as it seemed to be "the shortest and easiest study" available at the university<ref name=autobio/>, and passed his degree in [[1919]]. In [[1920]] he also passed his handicraftsman tests and became a partner in his father's workshop.
+
Ragnar Frisch<ref name=autobio>[http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/economics/laureates/1969/frisch-autobio.html Frisch, Ragnar, "Autobiography"], published in ''Nobel Lectures, Economics 1969-1980'', Editor Assar Lindbeck, World Scientific Publishing Co., Singapore, 1992</ref> was born on March 3, 1895 in [[Oslo]] as the son of [[goldsmith|gold-]] and [[silversmith]] Anton Frisch and Ragna Fredrikke b. Kittilsen. Being expected to continue his family bussines, Frisch became an [[Apprenticeship|apprentice]] in the David Andersen workshop in Oslo. However, at his mother's advice, while doing his apprenticeship Frisch also started studying at the [[University of Oslo]]. His chosen topic was economics, as it seemed to be "the shortest and easiest study" available at the university<ref name=autobio/>, and passed his degree in 1919. In 1920 he also passed his handicraftsman tests and became a partner in his father's workshop.
  
In [[1921]] Frisch received a fellowship from the university which enabled him to spend three years studying economics and mathematics in [[France]] and [[England]]. After his return to Norway, in 1923, although the family's business was having difficulties, he continued his scientific activity, feelling that research, not jewellery, is his real calling<ref name=Bjerkholt>Olav Bjerkholt (2000), "A turning point in the development of Norwegian economics - the
+
In 1921 Frisch received a fellowship from the university which enabled him to spend three years studying economics and mathematics in [[France]] and [[England]]. After his return to Norway, in 1923, although the family's business was having difficulties, he continued his scientific activity, feelling that research, not jewellery, is his real calling<ref name=Bjerkholt>Olav Bjerkholt (2000), "A turning point in the development of Norwegian economics - the
establishment of the University Institute of Economics in 1932". Memorandum No 36/2000, University of Oslo</ref>. He published a few papers in [[probability theory]], started teaching at the University of Oslo in [[1925]] and, in [[1926]], he gained his Ph.D with a thesis in [[mathematical statistics]].
+
establishment of the University Institute of Economics in 1932." Memorandum No 36/2000, University of Oslo</ref>. He published a few papers in [[probability theory]], started teaching at the University of Oslo in 1925 and, in 1926, he gained his Ph.D with a thesis in [[mathematical statistics]].
  
 
Also in 1926, Frisch published an article<ref>"Quantitative formulation of the laws of economic theory" (see Selected Publications)</ref> outlining his view that economics should follow the same path towards theoretical and empirical quantization that other sciences, especially physics, had followed. In the same year, he published his seminal article "Sur un problème d'économie pure" starting the implementation of his own quantization programme. The article offered theoretical axiomatizations which lead to a precise specification of both [[ordinal utility|ordinal]] and [[cardinal utility]], followed by an empirical estimation of the cardinal specification. Frisch also started lecturing a course on [[production theory]] introducing a mathematization of the subject.
 
Also in 1926, Frisch published an article<ref>"Quantitative formulation of the laws of economic theory" (see Selected Publications)</ref> outlining his view that economics should follow the same path towards theoretical and empirical quantization that other sciences, especially physics, had followed. In the same year, he published his seminal article "Sur un problème d'économie pure" starting the implementation of his own quantization programme. The article offered theoretical axiomatizations which lead to a precise specification of both [[ordinal utility|ordinal]] and [[cardinal utility]], followed by an empirical estimation of the cardinal specification. Frisch also started lecturing a course on [[production theory]] introducing a mathematization of the subject.
  
Frisch received a fellowship from the [[Rockefeller Foundation]] to visit the [[United States]] in [[1927]]. There, he looked for other economists interested in the new mathematical and statistical approaches to economics, making contacts with [[Irving Fisher]], [[Wesley Clair Mitchell]], [[Allyn Young]] and [[Henry Schultz]]. He wrote a paper analyzing the role of [[investment]] in explaining [[economic fluctuations]]. Wesley Mitchell, who had just written a book on [[business cycle]]s, popularized widely Frisch's paper which was introducing new advanced methods<ref name=Bjerkholt/>.
+
Frisch received a fellowship from the [[Rockefeller Foundation]] to visit the [[United States]] in 1927. There, he looked for other economists interested in the new mathematical and statistical approaches to economics, making contacts with [[Irving Fisher]], [[Wesley Clair Mitchell]], [[Allyn Young]] and [[Henry Schultz]]. He wrote a paper analyzing the role of [[investment]] in explaining [[economic fluctuations]]. Wesley Mitchell, who had just written a book on [[business cycle]]s, popularized widely Frisch's paper which was introducing new advanced methods<ref name=Bjerkholt/>.
  
Although his fellowship was extended to travell to [[Italy]] and France, the next year Frisch had to return to Norway because of his father's death. He spent one year to modernize and recapitalize the workshop by selling family assets and to find a jeweller to manage the business for him. Then he returned to academic work, in 1928 being appointed Associate Professor in statistics and economics at the Oslo University. In 1927 and 1928 Frisch published a series of articles on the statistics of time series. In [[1929]] he published his first important essay on econometric methodology, "Correlation and scatter in statistical variables", followed in the same year by "Statics and dynamics in economic theory", which introduced dynamics in economic analysis.<ref name=SP>See Selected Publications</ref>  
+
Although his fellowship was extended to travell to [[Italy]] and France, the next year Frisch had to return to Norway because of his father's death. He spent one year to modernize and recapitalize the workshop by selling family assets and to find a jeweller to manage the business for him. Then he returned to academic work, in 1928 being appointed Associate Professor in statistics and economics at the Oslo University. In 1927 and 1928 Frisch published a series of articles on the statistics of time series. In 1929 he published his first important essay on econometric methodology, "Correlation and scatter in statistical variables," followed in the same year by "Statics and dynamics in economic theory," which introduced dynamics in economic analysis.<ref name=SP>See Selected Publications</ref>  
  
Frisch became a full Professor at the university in [[1931]]. He also founded at the university the Rockefeller-funded Institute of Economics in [[1932]] and became its Director of Research.  
+
Frisch became a full Professor at the university in 1931. He also founded at the university the Rockefeller-funded Institute of Economics in 1932 and became its Director of Research.  
  
Frisch married Marie Smedal in [[1920]] and they had a daughter, Ragna. His granddaughter, Nadia Hasnoui (Ragna's child), became a Norwegian TV personality. After his first wife died in 1952, he remarried in 1953 with childhood friend Astrid Johannessen<ref name=autobio>.
+
Frisch married Marie Smedal in 1920 and they had a daughter, Ragna. His granddaughter, Nadia Hasnoui (Ragna's child), became a Norwegian TV personality. After his first wife died in 1952, he remarried in 1953 with childhood friend Astrid Johannessen<ref name=autobio>.
  
Ragnar Frisch received the Antonio Feltrinelli prize from the [[Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei]] in [[1961]] and the [[Nobel Prize in Economics|Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics]] in [[1969]] (awarded jointly to [[Jan Tinbergen]]) for "having developed and applied dynamic models for the analysis of economic processes"<ref>[http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/economics/laureates/1969/index.html The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel 1969]</ref>.
+
Ragnar Frisch received the Antonio Feltrinelli prize from the [[Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei]] in 1961 and the [[Nobel Prize in Economics|Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics]] in 1969 (awarded jointly to [[Jan Tinbergen]]) for "having developed and applied dynamic models for the analysis of economic processes"<ref>[http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/economics/laureates/1969/index.html The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel 1969]</ref>.
  
 
==Activity==
 
==Activity==
Frisch was one of the founders of economics as a modern science. He made a number of significant advances in the field of economics and coined a number of new words including [[econometrics]] and [[macroeconomics]]. His 1926 paper on consumer theory helped set up [[Neo-Walrasian research]]. He formalized [[production theory]] ([[1965]]). In econometrics he worked on time series ([[1927]]) and linear regression analysis ([[1934]]). With Frederick Waugh, he introduced the celebrated [[Frisch-Waugh theorem]]  (''[[Econometrica]]'' 1993)  (sometimes referred to as the [[Frisch-Waugh-Lovell theorem]]).  His [[1933]] work on impulse-propagation business cycles was one of the principles behind modern [[New Classical economics|New Classical]] [[business cycle]] theory. He also played a role in introducing econometric modeling to government economic planning and accounting. He was one of the founders of the [[Econometric Society]] and editor of ''Econometrica'' for over twenty years. The [[Frisch Medal]], so named in his honor, is given every two years for the best paper published in the aforementioned ''Econometrica'' in the previous five years.  
+
Frisch was one of the founders of economics as a modern science. He made a number of significant advances in the field of economics and coined a number of new words including [[econometrics]] and [[macroeconomics]]. His 1926 paper on consumer theory helped set up [[Neo-Walrasian research]]. He formalized [[production theory]] (1965). In econometrics he worked on time series (1927) and linear regression analysis (1934). With Frederick Waugh, he introduced the celebrated [[Frisch-Waugh theorem]]  (''[[Econometrica]]'' 1993)  (sometimes referred to as the [[Frisch-Waugh-Lovell theorem]]).  His 1933 work on impulse-propagation business cycles was one of the principles behind modern [[New Classical economics|New Classical]] [[business cycle]] theory. He also played a role in introducing econometric modeling to government economic planning and accounting. He was one of the founders of the [[Econometric Society]] and editor of ''Econometrica'' for over twenty years. The [[Frisch Medal]], so named in his honor, is given every two years for the best paper published in the aforementioned ''Econometrica'' in the previous five years.  
  
 
Frisch's most important hobby was bee-keeping. In it, Frisch undertook genetical studies.
 
Frisch's most important hobby was bee-keeping. In it, Frisch undertook genetical studies.
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<references/>
 
<references/>
  
==See also==
 
*[[Economics]]
 
*[[Econometrics]]
 
 
*[[List of economists]]
 
*[[List of think tanks]]
 
*[[Nobel Prize in Economics]]
 
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==

Revision as of 14:08, 11 May 2007



Ragnar Anton Kittil Frisch (March 3, 1895 – January 31, 1973) was a Norwegian economist.

Biography

Ragnar Frisch[1] was born on March 3, 1895 in Oslo as the son of gold- and silversmith Anton Frisch and Ragna Fredrikke b. Kittilsen. Being expected to continue his family bussines, Frisch became an apprentice in the David Andersen workshop in Oslo. However, at his mother's advice, while doing his apprenticeship Frisch also started studying at the University of Oslo. His chosen topic was economics, as it seemed to be "the shortest and easiest study" available at the university[1], and passed his degree in 1919. In 1920 he also passed his handicraftsman tests and became a partner in his father's workshop.

In 1921 Frisch received a fellowship from the university which enabled him to spend three years studying economics and mathematics in France and England. After his return to Norway, in 1923, although the family's business was having difficulties, he continued his scientific activity, feelling that research, not jewellery, is his real calling[2]. He published a few papers in probability theory, started teaching at the University of Oslo in 1925 and, in 1926, he gained his Ph.D with a thesis in mathematical statistics.

Also in 1926, Frisch published an article[3] outlining his view that economics should follow the same path towards theoretical and empirical quantization that other sciences, especially physics, had followed. In the same year, he published his seminal article "Sur un problème d'économie pure" starting the implementation of his own quantization programme. The article offered theoretical axiomatizations which lead to a precise specification of both ordinal and cardinal utility, followed by an empirical estimation of the cardinal specification. Frisch also started lecturing a course on production theory introducing a mathematization of the subject.

Frisch received a fellowship from the Rockefeller Foundation to visit the United States in 1927. There, he looked for other economists interested in the new mathematical and statistical approaches to economics, making contacts with Irving Fisher, Wesley Clair Mitchell, Allyn Young and Henry Schultz. He wrote a paper analyzing the role of investment in explaining economic fluctuations. Wesley Mitchell, who had just written a book on business cycles, popularized widely Frisch's paper which was introducing new advanced methods[2].

Although his fellowship was extended to travell to Italy and France, the next year Frisch had to return to Norway because of his father's death. He spent one year to modernize and recapitalize the workshop by selling family assets and to find a jeweller to manage the business for him. Then he returned to academic work, in 1928 being appointed Associate Professor in statistics and economics at the Oslo University. In 1927 and 1928 Frisch published a series of articles on the statistics of time series. In 1929 he published his first important essay on econometric methodology, "Correlation and scatter in statistical variables," followed in the same year by "Statics and dynamics in economic theory," which introduced dynamics in economic analysis.[4]

Frisch became a full Professor at the university in 1931. He also founded at the university the Rockefeller-funded Institute of Economics in 1932 and became its Director of Research.

Frisch married Marie Smedal in 1920 and they had a daughter, Ragna. His granddaughter, Nadia Hasnoui (Ragna's child), became a Norwegian TV personality. After his first wife died in 1952, he remarried in 1953 with childhood friend Astrid JohannessenCite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag.

Activity

Frisch was one of the founders of economics as a modern science. He made a number of significant advances in the field of economics and coined a number of new words including econometrics and macroeconomics. His 1926 paper on consumer theory helped set up Neo-Walrasian research. He formalized production theory (1965). In econometrics he worked on time series (1927) and linear regression analysis (1934). With Frederick Waugh, he introduced the celebrated Frisch-Waugh theorem (Econometrica 1993) (sometimes referred to as the Frisch-Waugh-Lovell theorem). His 1933 work on impulse-propagation business cycles was one of the principles behind modern New Classical business cycle theory. He also played a role in introducing econometric modeling to government economic planning and accounting. He was one of the founders of the Econometric Society and editor of Econometrica for over twenty years. The Frisch Medal, so named in his honor, is given every two years for the best paper published in the aforementioned Econometrica in the previous five years.

Frisch's most important hobby was bee-keeping. In it, Frisch undertook genetical studies.

Selected publications

  • Frisch, Ragnar (1926). Kvantitativ formulering av den teoretiske økonomikks lover [Quantitative formulation of the laws of economic theory]. Statsøkonomisk Tidsskrift 40: 299-334.
  • Frisch, Ragnar (1926). Sur un problème d'économie pure [On a problem in pure economics]. Norsk Matematisk Forenings Skrifter, Oslo 1 (16): 1-40.
  • Frisch, Ragnar (1927). Sammenhengen mellem primærinvestering og reinvestering [The relationship between primary investment and reinvestment]. Statsøkonomisk Tidsskrift 41: 117-152.
  • Frisch, Ragnar (1929). Correlation and scatter in statistical variables. Nordic Statistical Journal 1: 36-102.
  • Frisch, Ragnar (1929). Statikk og dynamikk i den økonomiske teori [Statics and dynamics in economic theory]. Nationaløkonomisk Tidsskrift 67: 321-379.

Notes and references

  1. 1.0 1.1 Frisch, Ragnar, "Autobiography", published in Nobel Lectures, Economics 1969-1980, Editor Assar Lindbeck, World Scientific Publishing Co., Singapore, 1992
  2. 2.0 2.1 Olav Bjerkholt (2000), "A turning point in the development of Norwegian economics - the establishment of the University Institute of Economics in 1932." Memorandum No 36/2000, University of Oslo
  3. "Quantitative formulation of the laws of economic theory" (see Selected Publications)
  4. See Selected Publications


External links


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