Hayek’s Challenge: I am an historian of economic thought, and for the past decade or so I have focused most of my research efforts on investigating the intellectual contributions of the Nobel prize-winning economist and social theorist Friedrich A. Hayek. The work culminated in the publication of a book, titled Hayek’s Challenge: An Intellectual Biography of F.A. Hayek, which was published by the University of Chicago Press in 2004. If you’d like to read the introductory chapter of the book, you can find it here.  If you'd like to read an interesting article about Hayek, written by Virginia Postrel for the Boston Globe, go here.

The Collected Works of F.A. Hayek: In the 1980’s The Collected Works of F.A. Hayek series was begun, with the philosopher W.W. Bartley III serving as the General Editor. The series was to contain about twenty volumes and would collect together all of Hayek’s most significant published writings, as well as a selection of unpublished work. The first book to appear in the series was Hayek’s last one, The Fatal Conceit (1988). Bartley died unexpectedly in 1990, and his death, as might be expected, slowed the progress of the project. Ultimately Stephen Kresge became the second General Editor, and through the 1990s six more volumes appeared. In 2002 Kresge retired, and I became the new General Editor. Go here to find out more about The Collected Works of F.A. Hayek project.

The Hayek Archives at the Hoover Institution: Hayek’s papers are housed at the Hoover Institution Archives at Stanford University in California. The Hoover Institution Archives also house the papers of related figures such as Karl Popper, Milton Friedman, Fritz Machlup, Gottfried Haberler, and Eric Voegelin. Those who want more information on visiting the Hoover Institution and working in any of the archives can visit the Hoover web site here. In the Hayek section, the Archives house 118 containers of Hayek’s writings, correspondence, memoranda, memorabilia, videotapes, photographs, and other materials. To access the container list, go here and look under “Hoover Institution Finding Aids” for Hayek’s name. Containers 1 – 91 were deposited while Hayek was still alive, while containers 92 – 118 were deposited at various points after Hayek died. The container lists are therefore in two parts, one labeled Hayek Papers, the other labeled Incremental Material. Please note that the Hoover Institution Archives holds the copyright to both parts of the register.

The Hayek Archives at UNC- Greensboro: When I became General Editor of The Collected Works of F.A. Hayek series I received the contents of the Hayek Papers on microfilm. The complete collection of microfilm reels have been placed in the Special Collections and Rare Books section, located on the second floor of the Main Building of the Jackson Library at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. These reels are open to the public for examination. Special Collections is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The phone number is 336-334-5246. (It is always advisable to call ahead if you plan to visit an archive.) The rules regarding use of materials that are in effect at the Hoover Institution, where the original papers are held, will be followed at UNCG. Those working in the archives must sign an agreement that states that they will not publish any materials from the papers without having obtained the written permission of the General Editor. Also, though photocopying is permitted, visitors are limited to fifty photocopies per year. For further information about the Hayek Papers on microfilm at UNC-G, visit the Special Collections website here.