Gerard Debreu papers, 1949-2001

Summary

Creators:

Debreu, Gerard

Abstract:

The Gerard Debreu papers, 1949-2001, consist of correspondence; professional activities, which include research notes, writing and editorial work, visiting scholar appointments, and speeches; organizational files; course notes; a small amount of papers pertaining to Debreu winning the Nobel Prize; and Debreu reprints.

Extent:

Number of containers: 1 box, 23 cartons Linear feet: 29

Language:

Collection materials are in English and French

Background

Scope and content:

The Gerard Debreu papers, 1949-2001, consist of correspondence; professional activities, which include research notes, writing and editorial work, visiting scholar appointments, and speeches; organizational files; course notes; a small amount of papers pertaining to Debreu winning the Nobel Prize; and Debreu reprints.

Most of the correspondence is professional in nature, concerning Debreu's teaching, writing and research activities. Topic-related correspondence is also interfiled throughout the rest of the collection. Professional activities primarily focus on Debreu's non-teaching work. The organizational files contain information on the organizations to which Debreu belonged, committee details, correspondence, and meeting minutes. Of note in this series are Debreu's membership in the National Academy of Sciences Committee on Human Rights. The Nobel Prize-related papers include some correspondence and photographs.

Biographical / historical:

Gerard Debreu was born in Calais, France on July 4, 1921. As a young man he pursued studies in mathematics until 1944, when after D-day he enlisted in the French army. After briefly serving in the French occupational forces in Germany he resumed his studies and shifted his focus to Economics.

In 1948 Debreu came to the United States on a Rockefeller Scholarship. In 1950 he began working at the Cowles Commission for Research in Economics at the University of Chicago. He moved to Yale University from 1955 to 1959, then Stanford University's Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences in 1960 and 1961. Early in 1962 he became a member of Berkeley's Economics faculty, and his Nobel Prize of 1983 was the first of a string of four Nobel Prizes won by Berkeley Economics professors. He retired in 1991, but he continued his teaching and research activities for several years.

Debreu became an American citizen in 1975. He was also noted for his interest in human rights. He joined a fact-finding mission to Chile on behalf of the National Academy of Sciences Committee on Human Rights, which focused on scientists believed to be unlawfully detained, in 1985.

Debreu passed away in Paris on December 31, 2004

Acquisition information:

The Gerard Debreu Papers were given to The Bancroft Library by Francoise Debreu on September 26, 2006.

Physical location:

Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.

Rules or conventions:

Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Location of this collection:

UC Berkeley, Bancroft Library

University of California, Berkeley, The Bancroft Library

Berkeley, CA 94720-6000, US

Contact:

510-642-6481

bancref-library@berkeley.edu

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