John Maynard Keynes: The Economist Who Saved the World (And Had a Great Time Doing It)

John Maynard Keynes (1883-1946) was a British economist, a man whose name was so synonymous with economic theories that he became the inspiration for international economic conferences, multiple textbooks, and a school of thought that forever changed the field.

But who was this man, really? Well, let’s start with the basics: Keynes was born into a family of academics and spent his childhood in Cambridge, England. From an early age, he showed an interest in mathematics and economics, but also in more unconventional pursuits like theater and art.

As a student at Cambridge University, Keynes studied under Alfred Marshall, one of the most distinguished economists of the day. It was this experience that would shape his future career, as Marshall encouraged his students to approach economics as a science rather than a set of abstract theories.

After finishing his studies, Keynes went to work for the British government during World War I, where he quickly rose through the ranks and became heavily involved in wartime economic planning. It was during this time that he developed many of his most famous ideas, including the concept of government intervention in the economy to mitigate the worst effects of recessions.

But for all his seriousness, Keynes was known for his wit and charm. He was an unabashed lover of the high life, frequenting posh nightclubs and attending lavish parties (a trend that continued throughout his life, even in his later years).

In fact, Keynes was so well-known for his antics that he was once described by his biographer as a “man who played games with life, never taking anything too seriously except the chance to make himself and others happy.”

Despite his love of parties, Keynes never lost sight of his contributions to economic theory. His seminal work, “The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money” (1936), fundamentally reshaped economics and put Keynes at the forefront of the field.

In the end, Keynes’ contributions to economics were nothing short of revolutionary. He challenged the prevailing theories of his day and offered new approaches to managing economic crises, all while living life to the fullest.

So let us raise a glass to John Maynard Keynes, the economist who saved the world (at least in theory) and had a great time doing it.