Thomas Sowell

Thomas Sowell (born June 30, 1930) is an American economist, economic historian, and social theorist. Widely published and a frequent media commentator, he is recognized as a prominent figure in the American conservative movement, particularly within the Black conservative community. Sowell holds a senior fellow position at the Hoover Institution and was honored with the National Humanities Medal in 2002. Born in Gastonia, North Carolina, he grew up in Harlem, New York City. Facing poverty and family issues, he left high school, served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War, and later earned degrees from Harvard University (BA, 1958), Columbia University (MA, 1959), and the University of Chicago (PhD, 1968). He has held academic posts at institutions including Cornell University, Brandeis University, and the University of California, Los Angeles. Sowell's work spans numerous subjects, including social policy, race, ethnic groups, education, decision-making, and economic theories. He is a critic of affirmative action and government interventions, advocating for free-market capitalism. His political views evolved from Marxism in his youth to a libertarian-conservative stance. Sowell has authored over 45 books and continues to influence public discourse on various societal issues.