Remembering Paul Lewis – Econlib

The Liberty Fund community has recently faced a profound loss with the passing of Paul Lewis. Paul, a distinguished professor of political economy at King’s College in London, previously held a faculty position at Cambridge. Renowned for his insightful interpretations of economic theories and influential thinkers, he was invited by Bruce Caldwell to edit a volume of Hayek’s Collected Works. Tragically, Paul’s journey came to an untimely end at the age of 53, while he was actively engaged in another editorial project.

Paul’s scholarly contributions spanned the realms of philosophy and economics. His macro-level analyses comparing various schools of 20th-century classical liberal thought solidified his reputation as a preeminent scholar among pro-liberty economists and philosophers. He was well-versed in Austrian economics, public choice theory, and the Bloomington School, and regularly collaborated with leading scholars across these disciplines.

In addition to his intellectual prowess, Paul had a knack for crafting captivating titles for his papers. A recent publication co-authored with John Meadowcroft in Constitutional Political Economy dubbed Buchanan and Vincent Ostrom “Constitutional Artisans.” His work, The Hand Behind the Invisible Hand examined the invisible hand metaphor throughout classical liberal discourse, while the ironically titled Far from a Nihilist Crowd: The Theoretical Contribution of Radical Subjectivist Austrian Economics showcased his ability to blend insight with wit. Perhaps the standout title, Orders, Orders Everywhere…..On Hayek’s the Market and other Orders, reflects not only his creativity but also the depth of his research, revealing connections across the landscape occupied by influential classical liberal economists.

I have a vivid memory of our first encounter at Ockenden Manor in 2007. Paul’s scholarly rigor was matched only by his genuine warmth and self-deprecating humor. I recall him dashing through a field while I ambled along, a testament to his zest for life and passion for his work.

Our collaboration blossomed into a series of projects with the Liberty Fund. While Paul and the organization may not have always shared identical political stances, he was deeply committed to our mission and approached our texts with unmatched seriousness and integrity. Our first conference together in 2011 focused on the work of Isaiah Berlin, which inspired me to write a paper on Berlin’s economic theories. Paul graciously invited me to present it at King’s to both faculty and students, where he expertly challenged my views during the discussion and then treated me to a delightful dinner afterwards—a true reflection of his character.

We continued to collaborate on various conferences that consistently provoked thought and challenged my perspectives. Our final conference centered around the Hayek Collected Works volume he had edited, attracting a stellar group including Bruce Caldwell. Paul’s contributions enriched our discussions, and while we can never fully repay him for his efforts in fostering dialogue about a free and responsible society, his absence will be profoundly felt.