# E. F. Schumacher

> British economist (1911–1977)

**Wikidata**: [Q76526](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q76526)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E._F._Schumacher)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/e-f-schumacher

## Summary
E. F. Schumacher was a British economist and philosopher who lived from 1911 to 1977. He is best known as the author of the non-fiction work *Small Is Beautiful* and for his role in developing the "Bancor" proposal, a supranational currency concept.

## Biography
- **Born**: August 16, 1911
- **Died**: September 4, 1977
- **Nationality**: British (United Kingdom); also held citizenship in Germany and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
- **Education**: Attended the University of Bonn, New College (Oxford), and Columbia University.
- **Known for**: Authoring *Small Is Beautiful* and contributions to economics and statistics.
- **Employer(s)**: University of Oxford, University of Bonn.
- **Field(s)**: Economics, Philosophy, Statistics.

## Contributions
Schumacher authored the influential non-fiction book *Small Is Beautiful*. He is credited with the creation or development of the "Bancor," a proposed supranational currency. His intellectual legacy extends to the founding of Schumacher College in Devon, United Kingdom, which was established in 1991 and named in his honor.

## FAQs
**What is E. F. Schumacher best known for?**
He is best known for his non-fiction work *Small Is Beautiful* and for his work as an economist and statistician.

**Where was E. F. Schumacher educated?**
He was educated at the University of Bonn, New College at the University of Oxford, and Columbia University.

**What awards did E. F. Schumacher receive?**
He was a recipient of the Rhodes Scholarship and received the Prix Européen de l'Essai Charles Veillon. He also received an honorary doctorate.

**Who influenced E. F. Schumacher's work?**
His work was influenced by the Traditionalist School, specifically the philosopher Frithjof Schuon, as well as the academic Leopold Kohr.

## Why They Matter
E. F. Schumacher matters for his challenge to mainstream economic thought through his advocacy for human-scale, decentralized economics, most famously articulated in his book *Small Is Beautiful*. His proposal for a supranational currency, the "Bancor," demonstrated his engagement with international monetary systems. His influence persists through the ongoing work of Schumacher College, an institution dedicated to ecological and social learning that bears his name.

## Notable For
- **Author of *Small Is Beautiful***: A seminal non-fiction work in the field of economics.
- **Creator of Bancor**: Developed the concept for a proposed supranational currency.
- **Rhodes Scholar**: Received a prestigious international postgraduate award to study at the University of Oxford.
- **Namesake of Schumacher College**: A college in Devon, UK, established in 1991, is named in his honor.
- **Prix Européen de l'Essai Charles Veillon**: Recipient of this literary award.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Ernst Friedrich Schumacher was born on August 16, 1911. His educational background spanned several countries and institutions. He studied at the University of Bonn in Germany and New College, a constituent college of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. Additionally, he attended Columbia University, a private university in New York City, New York.

### Academic and Professional Career
Schumacher's professional identity was multifaceted, encompassing roles as an economist, philosopher, and statistician. He was affiliated with the University of Oxford and the University of Bonn as an employer. His citizenship reflected the historical context of his life, including the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1801–1922), the United Kingdom, and Germany.

### Major Works and Concepts
Schumacher's most notable literary contribution is the non-fiction work *Small Is Beautiful*. In the realm of economic theory, he is credited with the development of the "Bancor," a proposed supranational currency intended to address international monetary stability.

### Intellectual Influences
Schumacher's intellectual trajectory was shaped by specific philosophical and academic figures. He was influenced by the Traditionalist School, a philosophy emphasizing perennial wisdom. Key influencers included Frithjof Schuon, a Swiss philosopher, poet, and painter known for his work in metaphysics, and Leopold Kohr, an Austrian academic known for his theories on human scale.

### Legacy and Honors
Schumacher's legacy is institutionalized through Schumacher College, located in Devon, United Kingdom. Founded in 1991, the college focuses on ecological and social learning. During his lifetime, Schumacher received significant recognition, including the Prix Européen de l'Essai Charles Veillon and an honorary doctorate. He was also a Rhodes Scholar, an award for international postgraduate study at the University of Oxford.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Catalog of the German National Library
3. Source
4. BnF authorities
5. Find a Grave
6. Rhodes Scholar Database
7. [Source](https://www5.open.ac.uk/students/ceremonies/sites/www.open.ac.uk.students.ceremonies/files/files/Honorary%20graduate%20cumulative%20list(7).xlsx)
8. International Standard Name Identifier
9. CiNii Research
10. Virtual International Authority File
11. SNAC
12. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
13. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
14. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
15. CONOR.SI
16. Autoritats UB
17. BBC Things
18. [Source](http://purl.org/pressemappe20/beaconlist/pe)