On Habits, Addictions, and Traditions

Gary S. Becker (1930-2014) was University Professor of the University of Chicago, where he taught Sociology and Economics since 1969. Previously, he taught at Columbia University, where he was the Arthur Jihman Professor of Economics. He holds an A.B. degree from Princeton University, and M.M. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Chicago as well as several honorary doctorates from U.S. and European universities.

Professor Becker is a columnist for Business Week and has served as a member, consultant, and fellow of boards and major committees for academic institutions and government ministries.He has been elected Member and Fellow of several distinguished academic societies, including the National Academy of Sciences, the American Philosophical Society, the American Statistical Association, the Econometric Society, the National Academy of Education, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He has served as the President of the American Economic Association and the Mont Pelerin Society, and is the winner of several prestigious academic awards, including the John Bates Clark Medal.

With a strong interest in theories of human capital, Professor Becker has written several books and over fifty journal articles dealing with major economic, political and sociological issues.