Collection ID: 5455879 MS# 1293
Ead Download EAD

Collection context

Summary

Creator:
Vickrey, William S (William Spencer), 1914-
Extent:
23.5 linear feet and 47 boxes
Language:
English , German , Spanish; Castilian .
Preferred citation:

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); William S. Vickrey papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Background

Scope and Content:

The collection is comprised of correspondence, manuscripts, teaching materials, conference materials, subject files, and printed items from William S. Vickrey's career as an economist. It contains published and unpublished papers illustrating his thoughts on various aspects of economic theory and their practical application. Topics discussed in these manuscripts involve macroeconomics, marginal cost pricing, microeconomics, political economy and welfare, public finance, social choice, taxation, transportation, urban economics, and related matters. The collection also has records from his tenure at Columbia University, including correspondence with his academic colleagues and participation in professional activities.

Biographical / Historical:

William S. Vickrey was born in 1914 in Victoria, British Columbia. After earning a B.S. in mathematics from Yale University in 1935, he went on to Columbia University where he earned an M.A. (1937) and Ph.D. (1947) in Economics. During World War II, Vickrey served as an economist in the Tax Research Division of the U.S. Treasury Department. In 1946, Vickrey began his teaching career at Columbia, eventually becoming the McVickar Professor of Political Economy in 1971. His research career was prolific with over 100 books and articles published on a broad range of matters and he worked as a consultant on projects in the U.S. and abroad. Vickrey lectured extensively, participated in numerous professional organizations, supported efforts for world peace, and served as president of the American Economic Association in 1992. Shortly before his death on October 11, 1996, Vickrey was awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences "for his fundamental contributions to the economic theory of incentives under asymmetric information.".

Acquisition information:
Source of acquisition--Cecile Vickrey, executrix. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--17 September 1997.
Processing information:

Papers processed Bridget T. Lerette.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged into 7 series.

Accruals:

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Access

RESTRICTIONS:

This collection is located on-site.

This collection has no restrictions.

TERMS OF ACCESS:

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

PREFERRED CITATION:

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); William S. Vickrey papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
6th Floor East Butler Library
535 West 114th St.
New York, NY 10027, United States
Link to repository site
CONTACT:
(212) 854-5590
rbml@library.columbia.edu