“The Bretton Woods Transcripts: New Findings” with Kurt Schuler, Senior Fellow, Center for Financial Stability; Economist, U.S. Department of the Treasury; co-editor of The Bretton Woods Transcripts

The 1944 international financial conference in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire established the IMF and the World Bank, and has shaped the international monetary system for nearly 70 years. In a sense, we are still living in the Bretton Woods era.  Despite the importance of the conference, its transcripts, which recorded what was said word for word at many sessions, were unknown to scholars until recently.  The Transcripts reveal the vision of participants including John Maynard Keynes, future presidents, prime ministers, and other world leaders who met in 1944 to construct a financial system that would promote growth, minimize global imbalances, and foster stability. Kurt Schuler (re)discovered the transcripts and prepared them for publication with co-editor Andrew Rosenberg. Schuler will discuss what the transcripts tell us that is new about conference, and how digital technology enhances their value.

 

 

Co-Sponsors: Rare Book & Manuscript Library; Herbert H. Lehman Center for American History; Program for Economic Research, Economics Department; Center for Financial Stability.

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The Business History Forum at Columbia University highlights the relationship between Columbia University and the city through the history of city, national, and global businesses. The Forum features speakers who address the past, present and future of industries that have been and, in many cases, continue to be important to the development of New York City, including accounting; communications, finance; law; media; real estate/development; theater; and trade. It brings together academic experts, industry practitioners, students, and the public. The Forum also provides examples of how the university acquires, preserves, and provides access to business collections through its Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

 

Questions? E-mail Eric Wakin.

 

All events are free and open to the public but require registration at cul-events@columbia.edu

 

All sessions take place in 523 Butler Library, 6:30–8:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted.