Peter L. Bernstein

In Memoriam

 

Peter L. Bernstein, the influential economic historian, died on 5 June 2009 at the age of 90. A great thinker and talented writer, Bernstein founded Peter L. Bernstein, Inc., in 1973 (which, among other activities, published his well-respected bi-monthly newsletter Economics & Portfolio Strategy) and a year later started the Journal of Portfolio Management.

 

In addition to publishing countless articles in journals and the popular press, Bernstein wrote several books that helped educate the investing public about the intricacies of finance, including his 1991 landmark work on modern investment theory and practices, Capital Ideas: The Improbable Origins of Modern Wall Street, and his 1996 account of the history of efforts to manage risk, Against the Gods: The Remarkable Story of Risk.

 

A frequent speaker at CFA Institute conferences, Bernstein also wrote numerous articles for the Financial Analysts Journal and CFA Institute Conference Proceedings. He was the recipient of the highest award that CFA Institute can bestow, the Award for Professional Excellence. In addition, he received several Graham and Dodd awards from the Financial Analysts Journal and the James R. Vertin Award from the Research Foundation of CFA Institute.