Origins & Early Life

Thomas Crombie Schelling (April 14, 1921 – December 13, 2016) was an American economist and professor of foreign policy, national security, nuclear strategy, and arms control at the School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland, College Park. He was also co-faculty at the New England Complex Systems Institute. Schelling was awarded the 2005 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences (shared with Robert Aumann) for "having enhanced our understanding of conflict and cooperation through game theory analysis." Schelling was born on April 14, 1921, in Oakland, California. He graduated from San Diego High School.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He received his bachelor's degree in economics from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1944 and received his PhD in economics from Harvard University in 1951. Schelling served with the Marshall Plan in Europe, the White House, and the Executive Office of the President from 1948 to 1953. He wrote most of his dissertation on national income behavior working at night while in Europe. He left government to join the economics faculty at Yale University. In 1956, "he joined the RAND Corporation as an adjunct fellow, becoming...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

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

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Alex Haley — Contemporary (Born in 1921) (1921): Pioneering author of 'Roots,' who brought Black American genealogy to global prominence.
• Abbas Kiarostami — Contemporary (Died in 2016) (2016): Master Iranian filmmaker known for blending fiction and documentary styles.
• Alan Rickman — Contemporary (Died in 2016) (2016): Iconic English actor celebrated for his distinctive voice and powerful stage presence.
• Andrew Grove — Contemporary (Died in 2016) (2016): Visionary engineer and CEO who drove Intel to global semiconductor dominance.
• Adrien Brody — Shared historical date (04-14 · Born) (1973): Acclaimed American actor known for intense, emotionally charged character portrayals.
• Ali Akbar Khan — Shared historical date (04-14 · Born) (1922): Master sarod virtuoso who popularized Hindustani classical music in the West.
• Archie Moore — Shared historical date (12-13 · Born) (1913): Legendary American boxer, known for his longevity and strategic defense.
• Ben Bernanke — Shared historical date (12-13 · Born) (1953): Renowned economist, former Fed Chair, and Nobel laureate specializing in financial crises.
• 1921 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1921
• April 14 (04-14) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on April 14
• 2016 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2016
• December 13 (12-13) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on December 13