THORNER, Daniel. New York 1915 — Paris 18.6.1974. U.S. Economist and Historian of South Asian Economy in India and France. Studies of history at Columbia, during war served in the Office of Strategic Services. At the end of WW II to India to complete his dissertation. For a while (1949-52) taught Indian economic history at University of Pennsylvania, but lost his position in McCarthy process and returned to India in 1952. After ten years, 1962, accepted a chair at École des hautes études en sciences sociales (EHESS) in Paris. Worked much on rural economy and the position of peasants. Married with Alice Ginsburg (1917–2005), who collaborated in his studies, two sons and two daughters.
Publications: Diss. publ. as Investment in Empire: British Railway and Steam Shipping Enterprise in India 1825-1849. 13+197 p. Philadelphia 1950.
– The Agrarian Prospect in India. 89 p. Delhi 1956.
– Agricultural cooperatives in India. 119 p. N.Y. 1962.
– With A. Thorner: The working force in India, 1881-1951. Census of 1961 project. Bombay 1960; Land and Labour in India. 227 p. Bombay 1962.
– The Shaping of Modern India. 18+404 p. N.D. 1980 (collected articles).
Sources: J. Pouchepadass, D.O.L.F. 924-926; *G. Rosen, Journal of Asian Studies 34, 1975, 777; I. Sachs, Economic Development and Cultural Change 24, 1975, 260; Wikipedia (also on his wife).
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