1932, Lewis went to the London School of Economics to study economics. 1937 received a bachelor's degree in economics, 1940 received a doctor's degree in economics, and stayed in school to teach until 1948. This is the first period of Lewis's academic career, mainly studying general economic issues, involving industrial organizations and general economic issues. The research in this period laid a solid foundation for his discussion on economic development in the future.
At the same time, because he is black and has been treated unfairly, he has anti-imperialist thoughts and cares for and sympathizes with the people in poor countries. Politically, he tends to criticize Fabian Society and Labour Party for British colonial policy. Lewis has never been an economist who advocates laissez-faire policy. His Principles of Economic Planning was written for Fabian Society to solve the problem of mixed economy. This attitude influenced his life's research and work.
From 65438 to 0948, Lewis served as Stanley jevons Chair Professor of Political Economy at Manchester University. From 65438 to 0943, Lewis was appointed by the British government as the head of the British colonial economic advisory board, and made an in-depth study of the economic problems of the British colonies. This is the beginning of his research on economic development. After arriving at Manchester University, his research focused on economic development. His work includes theoretical research and practical work.
Theoretically, Lewis's most important research achievement is "Economic Development under Unlimited Labor Supply" published in Journal of Manchester No.65438-0954. This paper puts forward a famous "dual" model to explain the economic problems of developing countries. This "dual" model has caused widespread controversy in the economics field, and it is also the main reason why he won the Nobel Prize in Economics. 1955, he published the book "Theory of Economic Growth", which made an extensive and in-depth analysis of the related issues of economic development, and is still considered as "the first masterpiece that concisely discusses economic development issues". Lewis also wrote many books and papers, summarizing the experiences and lessons of economic development in various countries.
In practice, he has held various positions to provide advice for the economic development of developing countries. The most important thing is that he was a member of the expert group on the least developed countries at the United Nations Headquarters 195 1 year, economic adviser to the Prime Minister of Ghana 1957 ~ 1959, and economic adviser to China/kloc-0. 1959 to 1963 was the first vice-chancellor of the university of the west Indies, and 1970 to 1973 was the first president of the Caribbean development bank. Because of these contributions, Lewis was knighted by the Queen of England in 1963.
1963, Lewis was invited to teach at Princeton University. From 1968, he served as james madison Chair Professor of Political Economy at Woodrow Wilson School of Public Affairs and International Affairs, and was also a member of the Pearson Committee of the United Nations to coordinate the relations between developed and developing countries. During this period, he mainly studied international economic relations, focusing on the historical evolution of international economic relations between developing countries and developed countries.
From 65438 to 0986, Lewis retired from Princeton University and lived in Barbados, near Covey Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies. Here, he continues to study economic development issues and provide development guidance for countries. 199 1 year, Lewis died in his own residence.