Paul Samuelson's Legacy

Paul Samuelson is probably the most important economist of the second half of the twentieth century. His research publications; his introductory textbook; his articles on topical questions of economic policy; and his interactions with numerous students, colleagues, policy makers, and the wider public have all contributed to fundamental changes in economics as a science and as a profession. This article attempts to give a brief overview of his career spanning eight decades and to recapitulate and celebrate his legacy.