Robert William Fogel

Robert William Fogel was an American economist and a co-recipient of the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences in 1993. He is best known for his work in economic history, where he employed quantitative methods to analyze historical data, particularly regarding the role of railroads in the U.S. economy and the importance of slavery. Fogel's research challenged traditional views, arguing that the economy was more efficient than previously thought. His innovative approach paved the way for new ways of understanding economic growth and development through a quantitative lens, influencing both economics and history significantly.