Robert S. Browne facts for kids

Robert Span Browne (born 1924 – August 5, 2004) was an important economist. He worked to create programs that helped African Americans improve their communities and lives.

Education and Early Life

Robert Browne was born in Chicago in 1924. He studied economics at the University of Chicago. He earned a special degree with honors.

During his early life, he also served in the Army Air Forces. In 1947, he made history. He was among the first Black Americans to earn an M.B.A. degree. This degree was in finance, also from the University of Chicago.

Later, he continued his studies in economics. He attended the London School of Economics in England. He also studied at the City University of New York.

Helping Communities and Countries

Robert Browne dedicated his career to economic development. He helped people both in the United States and in other countries.

Working Around the World

In 1955, Browne joined the Agency for International Development (AID). This is a U.S. government group. It helps other countries with their development.

• He worked in Cambodia from 1955 to 1958.
• Then, he moved to South Vietnam. He stayed there until 1961.

After 1961, he became a project director. He worked for the Stokes-Phelps Fund. He also taught economics at Fairleigh Dickinson University. This was in Teaneck, New Jersey.

Supporting Black Economic Growth

Robert Browne was a strong supporter of Black development. He started several important organizations.

• In 1969, he founded the Black Economic Research Center. This center was in Harlem, New York. He led it until 1980.
• In 1971, he created the 21st-Century Foundation. This group also focused on economic development.
• He also set up the Emergency Land Fund in 1971. This fund helped prevent Black land ownership from shrinking. It focused on the southern United States.

International Leadership Role

From 1980 to 1982, Browne took on a big international role. He was the first U.S. executive director. This was for the African Development Bank. The bank is located in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

After this, he continued his work in research. He was a senior research fellow at Howard University. He also worked for a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee. This group dealt with important global money issues. These included the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. They also looked at debt owed by developing countries.

Robert Browne's important papers are kept at the Swarthmore College Peace Collection.

Personal Life

Robert Browne was born in Chicago. He lived in Teaneck, New Jersey. He met his wife, Huoi Nguyen Browne, while working in Cambodia. They had two daughters and two sons. Robert Browne passed away on August 5, 2004.