|Peter Boettke|

The most accomplished and significant scholar in the modern Austrian school of economics -- Israel M. Kirzner -- turns 87 today. Born February 13, 1930 in London, then raised first in South Africa and then educated in the US at Brooklyn College (BA, 1954) and then New York University (PhD, 1957), Kirzner joined the faculty at NYU in 1957 and remained there throughout his career.

He made fundamental contributions as an economic scholar to price theory, capital theory, entrepreneurship theory, market process theory, and the history of economic thought, and to economic philosophy on the question of distributive justice. His Collected Works are being published by Liberty Fund in a 10 volume set -- 6 volumes have already been published, and Vol 7 will be out shortly.

He remains active and is an inspiring figure ... a scholar's scholar. At the 2016 Southern Economic Association meetings he received a standing ovation from the crowd of around 500 after delivering his Association Lecture. His voice remains the most powerful and profound within the Austrian school of economics.

Professor Kirzner -- thank you for your work, and for your example -- and wishing you a very healthy and happy 87th birthday.