Source: Screenshot/Facebook via Hammond Institute for Free Enterprise
Posted on 12/02/2020 1:31:03 PM PST by Kaslin
Source: Screenshot/Facebook via Hammond Institute for Free Enterprise
Walter Williams, the John M. Olin distinguished professor of economics at George Mason University and longtime columnist, has died at the age of 84.
Williams began writing a weekly column, "A Minority View," in 1981, the last of which, titled "Black Education Tragedy Is New," published Wednesday. His columns have appeared on Townhall.com for more than 25 years. He is also the author of 10 books, including the most recent, "Race and Economics: How Much Can Be Blamed on Discrimination?" and "Up from the Projects: An Autobiography," and published more than 150 scholarly articles, according to Economic Policy Journal.
"Walter was a great communicator of ideas and a prolific, provocative and uncompromising writer," wrote fellow GMU colleague Veronique de Rugy. "His voice, his happy-warrior demeanor, his cosmopolitan views, his endless fight on behalf of those with no political voices, and his generosity to all of us at Mason will be missed."
Tributes to Williams, whom his colleagues called a "freedom fighter," flooded social media.
Walter Williams was an American hero.
Born in poverty, raised by a single mother in the projects of North Philadelphia, a college drop-out, he overcame all types of adversity to become a nationally renowned professor, economist and columnist. https://t.co/LKWo6ZMv4Z— Heritage Foundation (@Heritage) December 2, 2020
One of my lifetime heroes, Dr #WalterWilliams, Econ Prof at @GeorgeMasonU, has passed at 84. A writer and speaker of great consequence. One of the most important conservative voices for nearly a half century. Well done, good and faithful servant.— Mark Davis (@MarkDavis) December 2, 2020
“I believe that reaching into your own pockets to help someone in need is praiseworthy and laudable. Reaching into somebody else's pockets to help your fellow man in need is despicable.”
—Walter Williams, one of the most brilliant & influential conservative thinkers of our time— Allie Beth Stuckey (@conservmillen) December 2, 2020
The great Professor Walter E. Williams has passed away at 83. Dr. Williams was fearless & independent. He was wise, brilliant & very funny. He was the keynote speaker for BOND's 10th anniversary. Condolences to the family. May his soul rest in peace??https://t.co/ih6AJoOmBI— Jesse Lee Peterson (@JLPtalk) December 2, 2020
RIP Walter Williams. What a legend. What a life lived. He didn't teach us WHAT to think. He taught us HOW to think, and his influence and his work will outlive us all. Thank you for making a real difference in this world, and on my life.— Scott Morefield (@SKMorefield) December 2, 2020
RIP Walter Williams, one of the many black conservative intellectuals the media pretend don’t exist.
Everything he wrote is worth reading, this column especially, “Are We Equal": https://t.co/MaeYgrwKAq— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) December 2, 2020
Just heard that Walter Williams passed away ??
Such a brilliant mind and brilliant economist. I owe a lot to that man for helping to shape my thinking and inspiring the pursuit of truth against popular opinion. I wish I could have met him in person to tell him as much
RIP, sir— Leonydus Johnson (@LeonydusJohnson) December 2, 2020
Wow, what a punch in the gut. I am told that one of my heroes, Dr. Walter Williams, passed away. Walter had an enormous influence on me, from the time I was 13-years old; he was my first guest on Life, Liberty & Levin. I'll discuss more tonight on radio.— Mark R. Levin (@marklevinshow) December 2, 2020
I was introduced to Walter Williams’ work as a college newspaper writer & editor at Dartmouth. Our own professors were peddling Marxist propaganda, but we took inspiration from Williams’ writing and commentary. He was truly an inspiration and a hero to me. RIP to legend. ????— Harmeet K. Dhillon (@pnjaban) December 2, 2020
Very sad news. Walter Williams was legendary. He was brilliant, incisive, witty, and profound. I grew up reading him, and he was a ferocious defender of free markets and a powerful explainer of the virtues of Liberty. https://t.co/DrwZo5yxqR— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) December 2, 2020
An enormous loss for the country. RIP Professor Williams https://t.co/cyQTuhJgl0— Storm Paglia ???? (@storm_paglia) December 2, 2020
He was one of my heroes.
Not the least for buying his wife a vacuum cleaner as a gift.
GMTA ;-)
RIP
reply 40
bkmk
Awww.....I just posted, earlier, on another thread how much I enjoyed listening to Walter tell his stories about Mrs Williams.
He WAS the funniest.
And, a wonderful teacher, to SO many, via Rush’s show.
This is so sad. Walter was a national treasure, and I loved it when he subbed for Rush.
bookmark
Rest In Peace. A great loss.
My all time favorite quote from Dr Williams. This is terrible news. 😩
We have lost one of the great ones. He had a prodigious intellect, balanced by solid common sense and marvelous wit.Rest in peace, dear Professor Williams.
Loved it when he guest hosted for Rush, especially when he had Thomas Sowell on.
Walter's greatest and explicit gift to us, also commonly cited when guest hosting:
“Was he one of the few that taught TRUE economics - Free Market Economics - the voluntary cooperation between buyers and sellers in the marketplace free from government interference - the true “Wealth of Nations”?”
Jim, listen to him or read him and decide for yourself. That might be best.
A true patriot and a real educator!
RIP, Mr. Walter E. Williams.
Walter Williams: If We’re Doing Reparations, Should African Nations Pay for Selling Innocent Black People?
https://www.westernjournal.com/walter-williams-reparations-african-nations-pay-selling-innocent-black-people/
Rest In Peace. We lost a great man. I just bought his latest book last week it’s awesome as always.
#19 Obviously those are 6 nazi’s.
Sincerely
Liberal democrat
I loved those bits. God bless Mrs. Williams for putting up with Mr. Williams all those years. I can only imagine how much those two loved each other...(otherwise, I wouldn’t want to be around that house on Christmas Day!!!)
he was a giant and was one of the first people to truly explain in very easy to digest pieces why taxes are such a corrupting force.
his story of a guy giving money to a poor person vs a guy who decides to help the poor by taking your money and giving it where he decides was such a crystal clear laser beam focus on the issue behind all leftists...
his chats with Thomas Sowell were nothing short of remarkable. the sheer brain power in the room when they were chatting created its own gravitational field...awesome to behold...
rest easy Sir, you deserve it. Prayers for his family
today however is a terribly sad day for the rest of us...
This is very sad news. I always enjoyed when he guest hosted for Rush.
RIP Dr. Williams.
One of the true greats of our time.
May he rejoice in Heaven.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.