Press Release: Lagarde Appoints Historians to Chronicle “Defining Moments” in Fund’s History

IMF News, April 7, 2016

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Press Release: Lagarde Appoints Historians to Chronicle “Defining Moments” in Fund’s History

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Bibliographic details

• Published: April 7, 2016

Appointments

• Ms. Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), announced the appointment of Professor Harold James of Princeton University and Atish (Rex) Ghosh, Assistant Director in the Research Department, as the new IMF historians.
• They will replace retired historian James Boughton.
• Both will start in their new roles on May 2, 2016.
• Press Release No.16/161; dated April 7, 2016.

Scope of the historians’ mandate

• Professor James and Mr. Ghosh will write the Fund’s official history from 2000 to 2015.
• The period 2000 to 2015 is characterized in the announcement by:
  • the global financial crisis,
  • the crisis in Europe,
  • the growing role of emerging and developing countries in the world economy.
• Ms. Lagarde described these events as “defining moments in the Fund’s history.”

Backgrounds and qualifications

• Professor Harold James:
  • completed undergraduate education at Cambridge University;
  • received his Ph.D. in 1982;
  • began teaching at Princeton University in 1986;
  • has written numerous books and articles on economic history, focusing on modern German history earlier in his career;
  • has written extensively on the economic implications of globalization, drawing comparisons with previous episodes of globalization, including the one that ended with the Great Depression.
• Atish (Rex) Ghosh:
  • joined the Fund in 1994;
  • prior to joining the Fund, worked as an assistant professor at Princeton University;
  • holds a PhD in economics from Harvard University;
  • holds a M.Sc. in development economics from Oxford University;
  • has written widely on topics ranging from capital flows to exchange rate management;
  • has been an adjunct professor at Georgetown University since 1997.

Terms and location of appointment

• Professor James will retain his chair at Princeton and will work part time at the Fund for the duration of his appointment as Fund historian.
• Mr. Ghosh will work full time in his new role.
• Both will be based in the Strategy and Policy Review Department.

Contact and media relations

• Media Relations E-mail: media@imf.org
• Media Relations Phone: 202-623-7100