# William Stanley Jevons

> English economist and logician

**Wikidata**: [Q312546](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q312546)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Stanley_Jevons)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/william-stanley-jevons

## Summary
William Stanley Jevons was an English economist and logician who contributed extensively to the fields of philosophy, statistics, and economics. He is best known for formulating the Jevons paradox, an economic theory regarding the relationship between resource efficiency and consumption. A recognized figure in academia, he was affiliated with major institutions such as University College London and the Victoria University of Manchester.

## Biography
- Nationality: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
- Known for: Jevons paradox; contributions to economics, logic, and statistics
- Employer(s): University College London, Victoria University of Manchester
- Field(s): Economics, statistics, logic, philosophy

## Contributions
William Stanley Jevons is credited with the development of the **Jevons paradox**, an economical theory which posits that increased efficiency in the use of a resource also tends to increase (rather than decrease) the total consumption of that resource. His professional work spanned multiple disciplines, establishing him as a key figure in economics, statistics, and logic.

## FAQs
**What is the Jevons paradox?**
The Jevons paradox is an economic theory introduced by William Stanley Jevons which suggests that as technological progress increases the efficiency with which a resource is used, the total consumption of that resource increases rather than decreases.

**Where did William Stanley Jevons work?**
Jevons was affiliated with University College London, a public research university established in 1826, and the Victoria University of Manchester, a British university that operated from 1851 to 2004.

**What academic fields did William Stanley Jevons contribute to?**
He was a professional in the disciplines of economics, statistics, and logic. Additionally, he was recognized as a philosopher and a photographer.

**Was William Stanley Jevons recognized by any scientific societies?**
Yes, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, an English learned society for science founded in 1660. He was also associated with the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society.

## Why They Matter
William Stanley Jevons matters for his foundational contributions to economic theory, particularly through the Jevons paradox, which challenges the assumption that efficiency automatically leads to conservation. His interdisciplinary work as a logician, statistician, and economist helped bridge gaps between formal reasoning and social science analysis. His affiliations with prominent institutions like the Royal Society and University College London underscore his lasting influence on the academic landscape of the United Kingdom.

## Notable For
- Originator of the Jevons paradox.
- Elected Fellow of the Royal Society.
- Professional roles as an economist, logician, statistician, philosopher, and photographer.
- Affiliation with University College London and the Victoria University of Manchester.
- Connection to the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society.

## Body

### Professional Identity and Roles
William Stanley Jevons is identified as an English economist and logician. His professional expertise was broad, encompassing the roles of philosopher, statistician, and photographer. As a human member of the academic community, his work integrated the study of correct reasoning (logic) with the social science of production and consumption (economics) and the study of data (statistics).

### Institutional Affiliations
Jevons's career was marked by significant affiliations with leading educational institutions. He was associated with **University College London**, a public research university in London, England, which was established in 1826. Additionally, he maintained a connection with the **Victoria University of Manchester**, a British university that existed from 1851 to 2004. These institutions served as the primary hubs for his professional employment and academic activities.

### Theoretical Contributions: The Jevons Paradox
A central component of Jevons's legacy is the **Jevons paradox**. This economical theory addresses the counterintuitive dynamics of resource usage. It asserts that increased efficiency in the use of a resource tends to increase the consumption of that resource. This concept has become a critical reference point in discussions regarding energy economics and sustainability.

### Recognition and Society Memberships
Jevons received formal recognition for his work through his election as a **Fellow of the Royal Society**. The Royal Society is an English learned society for science, founded in November 1660, with headquarters in London. Beyond this national recognition, he was also involved with the **Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society**. This organization is a British learned society, charity, and company based in Manchester, established in February 1781.

### Associated Key Figures
Jevons's intellectual context includes connections to other prominent thinkers. **Jeremy Bentham Rollweiser**, a British philosopher, jurist, and social reformer who lived from 1748 to 1832, is listed as a key person related to this domain. Additionally, **Alfred Marshall**, a British economist active from 1842 to 1924, is another significant figure associated with Jevons's professional sphere.

## References

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