DEPARTMENT REMEMBERS JONATHAN EATON

Department Remembers Jonathan Eaton

Jonathan Eaton, our friend and colleague, and Distinguished Professor of Economics, died at his home in Manhattan on Friday, February 9, 2024 at the age of 73.  He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Carolyn and his two daughters, Tamara and Hannah and their spouses Alfonso Kimche and Joseph Crivello and his grandson, Theodore Kimche.  Born in Los Angeles, CA on May 27, 1950, Jonathan was the brother of the late Ellen Hawley.

After graduating summa cum laude from Harvard University, Jonathan received his Ph.D. from Yale in 1976.  Throughout his esteemed career, Jonathan taught at Princeton, Yale, University of Virginia, Boston University, New York University and Brown University.  Jonathan first joined our Department in 2009-13. After a hiatus at Brown University, Jonathan returned to Penn State in 2015, and was named a Distinguished Professor of Economics at Penn State University in 2016, which he remained until February 9, 2024.  He was also a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, a Fellow of the Econometric Society, a Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and an Editor of the Journal of International Economics.  Together with his decades long research partner, Samuel Kortum of Yale University, he was awarded The Frisch Medal in 2004 and The Onassis Prize in International Trade in 2018.  Jonathan’s research examined a wide range of international economics subjects and was published in dozens of economics journals and books.  His greatest joy was interacting with students and junior faculty.  He was thoroughly devoted to his work and leaves a legacy of numerous graduate students who have gone on to lead the field of economics at prestigious university economics programs and research institutions around the world.

We are planning an event to celebrate Jonathan’s memory are our Fresh Faces in International Economics Conference in early May. We will post updated information as soon as available.