Leading Harvard economist Emmanuel Farhi dies at 41
While he was growing up in France, Emmanuel Farhi’s academic talent in number-driven disciplines was apparent, so it was less than shocking that he would become an award-winning macroeconomist whose work, while highly technical, shed important light on real-world fiscal policies. Both students and colleagues could not help but be deeply impressed by the intellect of the Robert C. Waggoner Professor of Economics. What did sometimes catch people by surprise about the 41-year-old Farhi, who died unexpectedly last Thursday in Cambridge, were the depth of his interest and knowledge of culture, both high and popular, and how genuine, friendly, and kind he was. “Emmanuel was an absolutely brilliant and prolific scholar, a deep and insightful theorist,” said Jeremy Stein, the Moise Y. Safra Professor of Economics and chair of the Department of Economics. “He was also a generous and caring mentor to his students, and a warm and cherished friend to many...