The German economist Georg Friedrich List (1789-1846) originated the historical theory of economic growth.

Friedrich List was born Aug. 6, 1789, in Reutlingen, Württemberg. He attended Latin school, worked in his father's tannery, and at age 17 became a civil service clerk, rising to ministerial undersecretary in local government. He attended Tübingen University and in 1817 was appointed professor of political economy. In 1818 he formed an association of merchants in Frankfurt, urging the abolition of customs barriers among the German states. Political opposition led to his university resignation in 1819. He was elected to the Württemberg Assembly in 1820 but was expelled in 1822 because of his criticism of the government. To avoid imprisonment he fled the country. On his return to Germany in 1824, he was arrested but released on condition that he emigrate to America.

List farmed near Harrisburg, Pa., and also edited a German newspaper (Der Adler...