Fellowship Elections in the Econometric Society 1933-1948

Abstract

By the constitution of the Econometric Society adopted in 1930 the ultimate power within the Society was vested in the Fellows. Fellowship was thus more than bestowal of honor. The constitution stated that the annual meeting of the Fellows represented the highest authority of the Society. The Fellows elected the Council which again elected the President and other Officers of the Society. At irregular intervals the Fellows elected new Fellows among those nominated for fellowship by the Council. Eligibility for nomination required membership for at least one year and having “published original contributions to economic theory, or to such statistical, mathematical, or accounting analyses as have a definite bearing on problems in economic theory.” The first group of Fellows was elected by the Council in 1933, as there was not yet an electorate of Fellows. The article gives an account of the early fellowship elections from 1933 to 1948 with regard to election and nomination procedures, including the flaws that happened, and draws on hitherto unpublished material and correspondence.