Kravis, Irving B. (1916–1992)

Abstract

Irving Kravis is best known for his pioneering empirical estimates of country purchasing power parities (PPPs) and real products based on detailed price and expenditure comparisons. This research began in the early 1950s at the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation (OEEC, now OECD) in collaboration with Milton Gilbert. It was continued on a world scale when he jointly directed the United Nations International Comparison Project from 1968 to 1982. However, these contributions were just the most notable in a career that included yeoman service to the University of Pennsylvania: in building up the Department of Economics, in serving as Associate Dean of the Wharton School and chair of the University Senate, and in active participation in many important committees of the School of Arts and Sciences and the university.