MEMORANDUM

the offer from Harvard was largely due to Schumpeter’s influence and thanked him
sincerely (but still unaware whether Schumpeter would move to Harvard). 194
The hiring of Leontief was dealt with also by the President Lowell. This was done
without sufficient coordination with Burbank. Edwin F. Gay who held a high opinion of
Leontief, had advised and Lowell accepted to appoint Leontief as Assistant Professor.
Burbank adhered to administrative guidelines that due to financial difficulties additions to
staff should be avoided wherever possible, and hired Leontief as instructor. Burbank later
apologized to Leontief for his confused handling of the matter. He made amends by telling
Leontief that
“…there is an unusual opportunity in the department for young men of high ability.
We have a group of distinguished senior professors who are now well advanced in
years. As time takes its toll the opportunities for advancement in this department
will be many.” 195
In retrospect it is obvious that Harvard at the time had great need for gifted economists,
not least of the rare breed of mathematical economist with strong empirical inclination, as
Leontief indeed was. Leontief’s arrival was indeed as fortunate for Harvard as manna from
heaven.
In the middle of March 1932 Leontief went to Harvard for the third time. He
confirmed that he accepted the offer. The official appointment did not arrive until two
months later. Leontief made preliminary preparations for his forthcoming relocation from
New York to Cambridge.
Soon after his return to New York he provided more details to Schumpeter. The
contract he had signed was for three years. He would have his own full-time assistant, a
proper office in Holyoke House and an additional work room in Widener Library. After
one year he would start tutoring gradually and also got the right to choose his tutees.
Burbank had given enlightening remarks on the courses assigned to him. Leontief sent
Schumpeter the notes he had taken and repeated: “The goodwill of the Harvard people
toward me seems to have no limit.” 196
The main purpose of the third visit was to give the lecture to the Harvard Economic
Seminar. 197 The Economic Seminar on Monday, 14 March 1932 was the first time
194 Leontief to Schumpeter, 2 February 1932.
195 Burbank to Leontief, 1 March 1932.
196 Leontief to Schumpeter, 17 March 1932, transl. by ob. He ended his letter as follows: “In
Harvard werden Sie mit grosser Ungeduld erwartet … “
197 The Economic Seminary met every second and fourth Monday each month,
see http://www.irwincollier.com/1961-2/
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