Origins & Early Life

Murray Newton Rothbard (US: ; March 2, 1926 – January 7, 1995) was an American economist of the Austrian School, economic historian, political theorist, and activist. Rothbard was a central figure in the 20th-century American libertarian movement, particularly its right-wing strands, and was a founder and leading theoretician of anarcho-capitalism. He wrote over twenty books on political theory, history, economics, and other subjects. Rothbard argued that all services provided by the "monopoly system of the corporate state" could be provided more efficiently by the private sector and wrote that the state is "the organization of robbery systematized and writ large".

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He called fractional-reserve banking a form of fraud and opposed central banking. He categorically opposed all military, political, and economic interventionism in the affairs of other nations. Rothbard rejected mainstream economic methodologies and instead embraced the praxeology of Ludwig von Mises. Along with his writing and libertarian activism, he taught economics part-time at the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute starting in 1966, and after 1986 in an endowed position at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Partnering...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abdus Salam — Contemporary (Born in 1926) (1926): Pioneering Pakistani theoretical physicist and Nobel laureate.
• Alan Greenspan — Contemporary (Born in 1926) (1926): Influential American economist, former Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board.
• Alfredo Di Stéfano — Contemporary (Born in 1926) (1926): Argentine and Spanish legend, 'The Blond Arrow,' pivotal to Real Madrid's golden era.
• Adolfo Pedernera — Contemporary (Died in 1995) (1995): Argentine football legend, nicknamed 'El Maestro,' pivotal in the 1940s.
• Alexander Knox — Contemporary (Died in 1995) (1995): Esteemed Canadian actor and writer, known for dramatic roles and literary contributions.
• Brent Faiyaz — Contemporary (Born in 1995) (1995): American R&B singer, songwriter, and producer known for 'sly vocals' and atmospheric sound.
• Andrei Linde — Shared historical date (03-02 · Born) (1948): Pioneering theoretical physicist known for inflationary cosmology and the multiverse concept.
• Bedřich Smetana — Shared historical date (03-02 · Born) (1824): Father of Czech Music, known for Má vlast and The Bartered Bride.
• Abd al-Rahman III — Shared historical date (01-07 · Born) (891): Founder of the Caliphate of Córdoba, a period of immense Islamic cultural zenith.
• Adolph Zukor — Shared historical date (01-07 · Born) (1873): Pioneering Hungarian-American film producer, co-founder of Paramount Pictures.
• 1926 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1926
• March 2 (03-02) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on March 2
• 1995 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1995
• January 7 (01-07) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on January 7