Laughlin, J. Laurence (James Laurence), 1850-1933

Economist; professor and head of the Dept. of Political Economy at the University of Chicago and editor of the Journal of Political Economy.

From the description of Papers of J. Laurence Laughlin, 1902-1931. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 71131188

Political economist. Professor, Department of Political Economy, University of Chicago, 1892-1916. Founder, Journal of Political Economy.

From the description of Papers, 1885-1914 (inclusive). (University of Chicago Library). WorldCat record id: 52247425

Biographical Note

• 1850, Apr. 2: Born, Deerfield, Ohio
• 1873: A.B., Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.
• 1873 - 1878 : Taught in Hopkinson's Classical School, Boston, Mass.
• 1875, Sept.: Married Alice McGuffey
• 1876: A.M. and Ph.D., Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.
• 1878 - 1883 : Instructor in political economy, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.
• 1883 - 1888 : Assistant professor of political economy, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.
• 1888 - 1890 : President, Manufacturers Mutual Fire Insurance Co., Philadelphia, Pa.
• 1890 - 1892 : Professor of political economy, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.
• 1890 - 1916 : Professor and head of Department of Political Economy, University of Chicago, Chicago, Ill.
• 1892: Became editor of Journal of Political Economy
• 1894 - 1895 : Prepared monetary reform for government of Santa Domingo that was later adopted
• 1897: Member, monetary commission created by Indianapolis Monetary Conference
• 1906: Lecturer, Berlin, Germany, on invitation of Prussian Cultus Ministerium; Doctor, honoris causa, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
• 1909: Delegate, Pan-American Scientific Congress, Santiago, Chile
• 1911: Chairman, Executive Committee National Citizens' League for Promotion of Sound Banking System
• 1919: Member, European Commission of National Industrial Conference Board
• 1933, Nov. 28: Died, East Jaffery, N.H.

From the guide to the J. Laurence Laughlin Papers, 1902-1931, (Manuscript Division Library of Congress)

James Laurence Laughlin was born on April 2, 1850 in Deerfield, Ohio. In the fall of 1869 he entered Harvard College and was graduated summa cum laude in history in 1873. He continued the study of history under Henry Adams at Harvard. He also taught at Hopkinson's Classical School in Boston. In 1876 he received his Ph. D. degree for his thesis on "The Anglo-Saxon Legal Procedure."

In the fall of 1878 Laughlin was appointed instructor of political economy at Harvard. After receiving graduate training in economics, he was appointed an assistant professor at Harvard (1883-1888); during this period, Laughlin organized and sponsored the Political Economy Club. He also completed his History of Bimetallism in the United States in 1885. In 1888 Laughlin left Harvard and became president of the Manufacturer's Mutual Life Insurance Company of Philadelphia. He accepted a professorship in Political Economy at Cornell University in 1890.

Two years later President Harper appointed Laughlin Head Professor of Political Economy at the new University of Chicago. At Chicago, Laughlin introduced the seminar as a method of instruction and founded the Journal of Political Economy. In 1894, Laughlin proposed that the University establish a School of Commerce and Industry. The new professional school, which began undergraduate instruction in 1898, evolved into the Graduate School of Business.

In 1916 Laughlin became Professor Emeritus. He moved to East Jaffery, New Hampshire, where he completed his Credit of Nations, published in 1918. He also wrote numerous magazine articles, largely on labor questions, including "Monopoly of Labor." He died on November 28, 1933.

From the guide to the Laughlin, James Laurence. Papers, 1885-1914, (Special Collections Research Center University of Chicago Library 1100 East 57th Street Chicago, Illinois 60637 U.S.A.)