Famous Economists.

11 PROFILES

11 celebrated economists whose theories on markets, money, and human behavior shaped government policy worldwide.

Editor’s spotlight — updated daily

Joseph P. Kennedy

United States

Joseph P. Kennedy, born in Boston in 1888, built a fortune in Hollywood by creating RKO Pictures in 1928 through financial engineering of several film companies. He later served as the first chairman of the SEC and as U.S. ambassador to the UK from 1938 to 1940. After World War II, he steered his sons John, Robert, and Edward into politics, financing their campaigns. He died in 1969 at age 81 from complications of a stroke.

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