Boserup, Esther (1910–1999)

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Boserup, Esther (1910–1999)

Danish economist. Name variations: Esther Talke Boserup. Born Esther Talke Börgesen, May 18, 1910, in Frederiksberg, Denmark; died Sept 24, 1999, in Ascona, Switzerland; studied at Copenhagen University; m. Mogens Boserup, 1931; children: 3.

Influential specialist in economic development, worked for Danish government (1936–47), then at Research Division of UN Economic Committee for Europe (1947–57); also did freelance work worldwide, including in India (1957–59) and Senegal (1964–65); served on UN committee of Development Planning, Scandinavian Institute of Asian Studies, and UN International Research and Training Institute for Advancement of Women; was the 1st to bring world attention to the role of women in economic development. Writings include Conditions of Agricultural Growth (1965), Women's Role in Economic Development (1970) and Population and Technological Change (1981).