William Baumol, who passed away in May, initiated the field of cultural economics when he conceived the idea of the cost disease. This column outlines his thinking about the economics of music, paintings, and other creative and performing arts – as well as his own output as a painter and sculptor.
Alan Blinder
26 August 2017 – voxeu.org
When William Baumol passed away in May 2017, he left behind an intellectual legacy that is remarkable for its volume and longevity, its scope, the practical importance of some of the theories he developed, and its enduring value. This column, written by a long-time colleague and co-author, outlines his amazing scholarly career, which spanned nearly 70 years and produced more than enough for two lifetimes.