b. 1933
Amartya Sen (born 1933) is an Indian economist and philosopher whose work spans welfare economics, social choice theory, and political philosophy. He is best known for his capability approach to human development and his analyses of famine, inequality, and justice. Sen received the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 1998 for his contributions to welfare economics.
Developed the capability approach to human development and freedom
Demonstrated that famines result from political and economic failures rather than food scarcity
Won the 1998 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences
Revitalized social choice theory following Arrow's impossibility theorem
Co-founded the Human Development Index (HDI) with Mahbub ul Haq