(born Oct. 15, 1908, Iona Station, Ont., Can.—died April 29, 2006, Cambridge, Mass., U.S.) Canadian-born U.S. economist and public servant. After studying at the Universities of Toronto and California (Ph.D., 1934), he held important government posts during the New Deal and World War II. As a professor at Harvard University (1949–75), he was active in public affairs, serving as an adviser to Pres. John F. Kennedy and as ambassador to India (1961–63). His influential liberal writings, often praised for their literary merit and popular appeal, examined the strengths and weaknesses of U.S. capitalism and consumerism. The Affluent Society (1958), a critique of the wealth gap, called for less emphasis on production and more attention to public services, and The New Industrial State (1967) traced similarities between “managerial” capitalism and socialism.

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(born Oct. 15, 1908, Iona Station, Ont., Can.—died April 29, 2006, Cambridge, Mass., U.S.) Canadian-born U.S. economist and public servant. After studying at the Universities of Toronto and California (Ph.D., 1934), he held important government posts during the New Deal and World War II. As a professor at Harvard University (1949–75), he was active in public affairs, serving as an adviser to Pres. John F. Kennedy and as ambassador to India (1961–63). His influential liberal writings, often praised for their literary merit and popular appeal, examined the strengths and weaknesses of U.S. capitalism and consumerism. The Affluent Society (1958), a critique of the wealth gap, called for less emphasis on production and more attention to public services, and The New Industrial State (1967) traced similarities between “managerial” capitalism and socialism.

Learn more about Galbraith, John Kenneth with a free trial on Britannica.com.

''Not to be confused with Galbreath

Galbraith is a surname, and may refer to:

• Evan Griffith Galbraith (1928–2008), United States diplomat
• Francis Joseph Galbraith (1913–1986), United States diplomat
• Declan Galbraith (born 1991), British singer.
• Gatewood Galbraith, a Kentucky lawyer, author and politician
• Jack Galbraith, former Scottish footballer
• James Galbraith (born 1940), Canadian Progressive Conservative politician
• James K. Galbraith, United States economist, son of John Kenneth Galbraith
• Jo-Ann Galbraith (born 1985), Australian archer
• John Kenneth Galbraith (1908–2006), Canadian-born American economist
• Patrick Galbraith (born 1967), United States professional tennis player
• Paul Galbraith, (born 1964), World renowned Scottish-born classical guitarist known for his innovative style of playing
• Peter W. Galbraith, United States diplomat and commentator, son of John Kenneth Galbraith
• Sam Galbraith (born 1945), Scottish Labour Party politician
• Sheldon Galbraith (born 1922), Canadian figure skating coach
• Tam Galbraith (1917–1982), Scottish Conservative and Unionist politician
• Thomas Dunlop Galbraith, 1st Baron Strathclyde (1891–1985), British politician
• Thomas Galbraith, 2nd Baron Strathclyde (born 1960), British Conservative Party politician
• Thomas J. Galbraith (mid-19th century), United States politician
• Vivian Hunter Galbraith, British historian
• William Robert Galbraith, (mid-late 19th century) Civil engineer in the United Kingdom
• 4089 Galbraith, an Asteroid