Yamey, Basil, 1919-2020

Basil Yamey, admired scholar, loved teacher, government adviser, and champion of the arts, lived to be 101. During his long tenure as at the London School of Economics, first as Reader and then Professor, he made significant contributions to economic understanding about, and economic policy towards, industry and commerce, bringing insights into firms’ competitive behaviour that were based upon careful observation and deep understanding of business practices. With these understandings, he also reframed how we should analyse and measure economic activities in West Africa and other emerging economies, and how academics and policymakers can improve policy actions for their development. Outside of economics, he contributed to the understanding of the history and significance of double-entry book-keeping in accounting. And, he also served on the board of the Monopolies Commission, and acted as trustee of major art galleries, including the National Gallery.

Posted to Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the British Academy, 21