Harvard. History of economics, Pre-1848. Bullock, 1912-1913

Before he went off to the University of Wisconsin to study economics, Harvard’s professor of economics for public finance and the history of economics, Charles J. Bullock, taught high-school Latin and Greek. I wonder who would have been among the last American-born economists able to read Xenophon in the original.

The mid-year and year-end exams for Bullock’s 1912-13 course is the new content transcribed for this post. The survey course was taken by seven graduate students.

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FORMER WILLIAMS TEACHER IS DEAD
Prof. Charles J. Bullock,Retired Harvard Economist,
on Faculty Here at Century’s Turn.

The North Adams Transcript (March 20, 1941)

Dr. Charles Jesse Bullock, professor emeritus of economics at Harvard university, a nationally known tax authority and a former member of the Williams college faculty, died Monday at his home in Hingham. He was 72 years old.

From 1899 until 1903 when he went to Harvard, Dr. Bullock taught at Williams, first as an assistant professor of economics and sociology and then as Orrin Sage professor of history and political science. He became a full professor at Harvard in 1908 and continued to teach there until 1935 when he took the title of professor emeritus.

Prof. Bullock was the author of many books and articles on economics. In the presidential campaign year of 1936, after his retirement, he served as chief of the research division of the Republican National committee and conferred with Alfred M. Landon, the Republican candidate, on many occasions.

A native of Boston, Dr. Bullock was graduated from Boston university in 1889. He taught Greek and Latin in New England schools and served as principal of the Middlebury, Vt. high school before entering the University of Wisconsin to study economics. He earned a doctorate there in 1895.

Prof. Bullock returned to Williamstown in 1921 to receive an honorary degree of doctor of laws from Williams.

Dr. Bullock married Helena M. Smith of Washington in 1895 and they had one daughter, Grace Helena Bullock.

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History of economics courses
pre-1911/12

Links to earlier course material for History of Economics at Harvard, 1883-84 through 1910-11.

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Economics 14
Course Description
1912-13

[Economics] 14 (formerly 15). History and Literature of Economics to the year 1848. Mon., Wed., and (at the pleasure of the instructor) Fri., at 11. Professor Bullock.

The purpose of this course is to trace the development of economic thought from classical antiquity to the middle of the nineteenth century. Emphasis is placed upon the relation of economics to philosophical and political theories, as well as to political and industrial conditions.
A considerable amount of reading of prominent writers will be assigned, and opportunity given for the preparation of theses. Much of the instruction is necessarily given by means of lectures.

Source: Harvard University. Division of History, Government, and Economics, Courses of Instruction, 1912–13, pp. 63-64.

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Economics 14
Course Enrollment
1912-13

Economics 14 (formerly 15). Professor Bullock. History and Literature of Economics to the year 1848.

Total 7: 7 Graduates.

Source: Harvard University. Reports of the President and the Treasurer of Harvard College, 1912-13, p. 58.

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ECONOMICS 14
Mid-year Examination
1912-13

What significant analyses of economic structure and processes were made by the writers of ancient and mediaeval times?
Discuss the following statement concerning Greek economic thought: “The military constitution of society, and the existence of slavery, which was related to it, turned away the habitual attention of thinkers from that domain.”
In the same connection, discuss the following: “The practical economic enterprises of Greek and Roman antiquity could not, even independently of any special adverse influences, have competed in magnitude of scale or variety of resources with those of modern times.”
Write a critical estimate of Xenophon’s treatise on “The Revenues of Athens.”
To what extent were ancient and medieval economic thought influenced by the concept of an order of nature?
What were Aristotle’s views concerning economic and political equilibrium?
How far has our knowledge of mediaeval economic thought been advanced by the application of the doctrine of the relativity of economic thought?
What justification is there for regarding the sixteenth century as the beginning of a new era in political and economic thought?

Source: Harvard University. Mid-year examinations, 1852-1943. Box 9, bound volume Examination Papers, Mid-Years 1912-13.

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ECONOMICS 14
Year-end Examination
1912-13

What significant analyses of economic structure and functions were made by the mercantilists?
Discuss the development of economic opinions as reflected in the writings of Hales, Bodin, Montchrétien, Mun, Petty, Boisguilbert, Cantillon, Vanderlint, and Hume.
Explain the structure and purpose of the “Wealth of Nations,” and give a brief analysis of the doctrines of the first two books.
Discuss the treatment of the subject of population by Aristotle, the Schoolmen, Cantillon, Smith, and Malthus.
At what points did the economic theories of Ricardo differ from those of Adam Smith?

Source: Harvard University Examinations. Papers set for final examinations in history, history of science, government, economics, philosophy, social ethics, education, fine arts, music in Harvard College (June 1913), p. 54.

Image Source: Xenophon. From the statue of Xenophon by Hugo Haerdtl that is located on the southern entry ramp to the Austrian Parliament (Dr.-Karl-Renner-Ring 3, im 1. Wiener Gemeindebezirk Innere Stadt).

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