Ludwig von Mises

1881–1973 (age 92)

economist and philosopher

Photograph of Ludwig von Mises

Biography

Ludwig von Mises was an Austrian-American economist and philosopher whose rigorous intellectual work profoundly influenced libertarian and free-market economic thought. Born in Vienna, he fled to the United States during the rise of fascism in Europe, where he continued his prolific scholarly career. His theories emphasized individual action, sound money, and the limitations of government intervention in economic affairs.

Through his writings and teachings, Mises inspired generations of economists and thinkers who sought to understand markets and human behavior through the lens of individual choice and voluntary exchange. His contributions to economic philosophy remain influential in contemporary debates about the proper role of government and the nature of economic systems.