# Henry Hazlitt

> American journalist & writer (1894–1993)

**Wikidata**: [Q685787](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q685787)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Hazlitt)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/henry-hazlitt

## Summary
Henry Hazlitt was an American journalist, economist, and philosopher best known for his contributions to classical liberal thought and free-market economics. His influential works, such as *Economics in One Lesson* (1946), popularized economic principles and critiqued interventionist policies, making complex ideas accessible to a broad audience.

## Biography
- **Born**: November 28, 1894
- **Died**: July 9, 1993
- **Nationality**: American
- **Occupation**: Journalist, economist, philosopher
- **Known for**: Advocating free-market economics and classical liberalism
- **Affiliations**: *The American Mercury*, Mont Pelerin Society, Mises Institute, Foundation for Economic Education
- **Fields**: Journalism, economics, philosophy

## Contributions
Henry Hazlitt authored numerous books and articles that shaped economic discourse, including:
- *Economics in One Lesson* (1946) – A seminal work simplifying economic principles for general readers, emphasizing the unseen consequences of government intervention.
- *The Failure of the "New Economics"* (1959) – A critique of Keynesian economics, particularly John Maynard Keynes' *The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money*.
- *The Foundations of Morality* (1964) – Explored ethical philosophy from a libertarian perspective.
- *The Inflation Crisis, and How to Resolve It* (1978) – Analyzed the causes and solutions to inflation.

Hazlitt also served as an editor for *The American Mercury* (founded 1924) and contributed to the *New York Times*, *The Wall Street Journal*, and *Newsweek*. He was a founding member of the **Mont Pelerin Society** (1947), a neoliberal organization promoting free-market ideas, and was associated with the **Mises Institute** and the **Foundation for Economic Education (FEE)**, both of which advanced libertarian and Austrian economics.

## FAQs
**What were Henry Hazlitt’s main economic ideas?**
Hazlitt championed free-market capitalism, arguing that government intervention often leads to unintended negative consequences. His work emphasized the importance of individual liberty, limited government, and sound monetary policy.

**Which organizations was Henry Hazlitt affiliated with?**
He was a member of the **Mont Pelerin Society**, a neoliberal think tank, and contributed to the **Mises Institute** and the **Foundation for Economic Education (FEE)**, both of which promote Austrian economics and libertarian principles.

**What is *Economics in One Lesson* about?**
The book distills economic principles into accessible lessons, demonstrating how policies like price controls, tariffs, and public works projects often harm rather than help the economy due to unseen long-term effects.

**How did Hazlitt influence modern economics?**
His writings helped popularize free-market ideas among non-academics, bridging the gap between economic theory and public policy debates. His critiques of Keynesianism and inflation remain relevant in libertarian and conservative circles.

## Why They Matter
Henry Hazlitt played a crucial role in translating complex economic theories into accessible language, making free-market principles understandable to the general public. His work influenced generations of economists, policymakers, and libertarian thinkers, reinforcing the case for limited government and individual freedom. Without his contributions, classical liberal and Austrian economic ideas might have remained confined to academic circles rather than shaping broader policy debates.

## Notable For
- Authoring *Economics in One Lesson* (1946), one of the most widely read introductions to free-market economics.
- Critiquing Keynesian economics in *The Failure of the "New Economics"* (1959).
- Serving as a founding member of the **Mont Pelerin Society** (1947).
- Contributing to major publications like *The New York Times*, *The Wall Street Journal*, and *Newsweek*.
- Advancing libertarian philosophy in *The Foundations of Morality* (1964).
- Associating with the **Mises Institute** and the **Foundation for Economic Education (FEE)**.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Henry Stuart Hazlitt was born on **November 28, 1894**, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Details about his formal education are sparse, but his career in journalism and economics began in the early 20th century, where he quickly established himself as a clear and persuasive writer.

### Journalism Career
Hazlitt worked as a journalist for several prominent publications, including *The New York Times*, *The Wall Street Journal*, and *Newsweek*. His ability to explain economic concepts in simple terms made him a sought-after commentator. He also served as an editor for *The American Mercury*, a magazine founded in 1924 that covered politics, culture, and economics.

### Economic and Philosophical Contributions
Hazlitt’s most enduring work, *Economics in One Lesson* (1946), remains a cornerstone of free-market literature. The book argues that economic policies must consider both immediate and long-term effects, using the broken window fallacy as a key example. His critique of Keynesian economics in *The Failure of the "New Economics"* (1959) challenged the dominance of government interventionist policies.

In *The Foundations of Morality* (1964), Hazlitt explored the ethical underpinnings of libertarianism, arguing for a moral framework based on individual rights and voluntary cooperation. His later work, *The Inflation Crisis, and How to Resolve It* (1978), addressed the economic challenges of the 1970s, advocating for sound money and fiscal responsibility.

### Affiliations and Influence
Hazlitt was a founding member of the **Mont Pelerin Society** (1947), an international organization dedicated to promoting classical liberal and free-market ideas. He was also associated with the **Mises Institute** (founded 1982) and the **Foundation for Economic Education (FEE, founded 1946)**, both of which continue to advance Austrian economics and libertarian thought.

### Legacy
Henry Hazlitt’s writings have had a lasting impact on economic education and policy debates. His ability to communicate complex ideas in an accessible manner has made his works essential reading for students of economics, libertarians, and advocates of limited government. He passed away on **July 9, 1993**, leaving behind a body of work that continues to shape discussions on economic freedom and individual liberty.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. International Standard Name Identifier
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
6. SNAC
7. Library of Congress Authorities
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. Open Library
10. Catalogue of the Library of the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross
11. CONOR.SI
12. Autoritats UB
13. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File