John Maynard Keynes
1883-1946. Economist. Member of the Bloomsbury Group.
under construction
Childhood and Youth
John Maynard Keynes was born in Cambridge on June 5, 1883. His father lectured economy at Cambridge University and his mother - one of the first female graduates- was an active member of charity, later major of the city. Already at the age of 4 ½, Keynes replied when asked what interest is: “If I let you have a halfpenny and you kept it a very long time, you would have to give me back that halfpenny and another too. That is interest.” (Sills, 114)
Keynes does very well in St. Faith preparatory school. His mathematics teacher sees him as talented, but also remarks his lack of patience when difficulties arise. In 1896, the headmaster of the school recommends a scholarship for Eton, which Keynes eventually gets a year later. His ill health, which has already interfered with his school education, reoccurs during university, resulting in absence from classes. In 1898, he wins Eton’s Junior Mathematical Prize and the Senior Prize in 1900. Other Prizes are to follow.
In 1902, Keynes begins as an undergraduate at King’s College. There, he engages in several debating and intellectual societies, which are going to shape him more than his formal studies. He is also an active sportsman. In the final examinations, he scores 12th.
Global economic crisis
Underconsumption
Return to the golden standard
A great nation
Ministry of Finance
Sources
- Brüggemeier, Franz-Josef. Geschichte Großbrittaniens im 20. Jahrhundert. München: C.H.Beck, 2010.
- Maurer, Michael. Kleine Geschichte Englands. Stuttgart: Reclam, 2007.
- Sills, David L. and Merton, Robert K., ed. Social Science Quotations. Who said What, When, and Where. New Jersey: Transaction Publishers, 2000.
- John Maynard Keynes. Timeline. http://www.maynardkeynes.org/keynes-career-timeline.html December 6, 2011