Angus Deaton author photo
Image via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Angus Deaton

Born: October 19, 1945 – Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

Angus Deaton is a Scottish-American economist and author whose work focuses on poverty, health, consumption, inequality, and economic development. He is known for The Great Escape and, with Anne Case, Deaths of Despair and the Future of Capitalism. Deaton received the 2015 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences for research on consumption, poverty, and welfare.

Biography & Author's Journey

Angus Deaton was born in Edinburgh in 1945 and educated at Hawick High School, Fettes, and Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, where he studied mathematics before completing his doctorate in 1974. After a short period at the Bank of England, he returned to academic life, worked with Richard Stone in Cambridge, became professor of econometrics at Bristol in 1975, and moved to Princeton in 1983. Those early turns set the pattern for a career centered on measurement and on everyday welfare rather than abstraction alone. In 2015 he received the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences for his analysis of consumption, poverty, and welfare. ((https://spia.princeton.edu/faculty/deaton?utm_source=openai))

Show More

Quotes

quote
Curiosity is tremendously important
-Interview Transcript
quote
It has become a richer and more humane subject
-Banquet Speech
quote
We are often too sure that we are right
-Rethinking My Economics
quote
There are times when economists need make no apology for their profession
-Letter from America: Economists without Borders
quote
As the market and private pensions boom, America's (almost) universal social security system is going bust
-Letter from America: On Social Security Reform
quote
Boredom and loneliness have been familiar visitors throughout my life
-Biographical
quote
Statistical solutions to poverty are easier than real solutions
-Prize Lecture: Measuring and Understanding Behavior, Welfare, and Poverty

Discover more

Macroeconomics for Personal Wealth
LEARNING PLAN

Macroeconomics for Personal Wealth

Understanding the forces that drive the global economy is essential for anyone looking to protect their assets from inflation and policy shifts. This plan is designed for individual investors and curious professionals who want to translate high-level economic data into actionable personal financial strategies.

1 h 24 m4 Sections
Master behavioral economics
LEARNING PLAN

Master behavioral economics

Behavioral economics has revolutionized how we understand human decision-making, revealing that people consistently make predictable errors in judgment that traditional economics cannot explain. This learning plan is essential for professionals in business, policy, marketing, product design, and leadership roles who want to understand what truly drives human behavior and how to design systems that lead to better outcomes. Whether you're optimizing user experiences, crafting policies, developing marketing strategies, or simply seeking to make better decisions yourself, mastering these principles provides a powerful competitive advantage.

4 h 39 m4 Sections
Study economics
LEARNING PLAN

Study economics

Economics shapes every aspect of modern life, from personal financial decisions to global policy debates. This comprehensive learning plan is ideal for students, professionals, entrepreneurs, and engaged citizens who want to understand the forces driving markets, make better strategic decisions, and critically evaluate economic claims in business and public discourse.

4 h 22 m4 Sections
Power, Money, and Daily Life
LEARNING PLAN

Power, Money, and Daily Life

This learning plan is essential for anyone seeking to understand the invisible forces of governance and economics that shape our world. It is designed for curious minds and aspiring policy thinkers who want to move beyond headlines to grasp how power and capital actually function.

2 h4 Sections
Learn econ frameworks for investing
LEARNING PLAN

Learn econ frameworks for investing

This learning plan is essential for anyone seeking to make informed financial decisions by understanding the complete economic picture—from global markets to personal portfolios. It's ideal for aspiring investors, finance professionals, or individuals who want to move beyond surface-level financial advice and develop a systematic, theory-grounded approach to building wealth. By connecting macroeconomic principles to practical investment strategies, learners gain the critical thinking framework needed to navigate complex financial landscapes with confidence.

5 h 8 m4 Sections
The Dark Mechanics of Meaning
LEARNING PLAN

The Dark Mechanics of Meaning

This plan provides a provocative look at the biological and psychological traps of the human search for significance. It is ideal for students of philosophy, psychology, or anyone seeking to build mental fortitude by confronting the reality of an indifferent universe.

2 h4 Sections
Support and Science of Depression
LEARNING PLAN

Support and Science of Depression

This learning plan bridges the gap between clinical science and practical empathy, making it essential for anyone seeking to understand the mechanics of mental health. It is particularly beneficial for caregivers, students of psychology, or individuals looking for evidence-based insights into the recovery process.

2 h4 Sections
The Westminster Policy Duel
LEARNING PLAN

The Westminster Policy Duel

This plan provides a deep dive into the ideological battles shaping the United Kingdom's future. It is essential for policy professionals, political analysts, and engaged citizens who want to understand the trade-offs between competing fiscal and social agendas.

1 h 30 m3 Sections
FAQs about this page

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of Curious Minds

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star
1.5K Ratings4.7
Start your learning journey, now