Anna Schwartz Dead at 96

Anna Schwartz, an NBER Research Associate in the Monetary Economics Program, and the NBER's longest serving researcher, passed away on June 21 at the age of 96. Anna, who joined the NBER in 1941, was best known for her collaboration with Milton Friedman on A Monetary History of the United States, 1867-1960 (published in 1963). This study was a landmark contribution in the analysis of the links between monetary policy and aggregate economic activity. She was also the author or co-author of many other influential books and papers, including three working papers in the last two years. Schwartz was a Distinguished Fellow of the American Economic Association, and the recipient of nine honorary degrees.

Schwartz did her undergraduate work at Barnard College, graduating at the age of 18, and received her Ph.D. from Columbia University. Before joining the NBER, she worked for several years at the USDA and at the Social Science Research Foundation.

Anna Schwartz was a very active contributor to the intellectual life of the NBER and the economics profession, and she will be deeply missed. An interview with her conducted by Claudia Goldin several years ago is posted on the NBER's website in the "oral histories" library: https://www.nber.org/nberhistory/oralhistories2.html