F&D Magazine / International organization

James Boughton on The Messy Legacy of Harry Dexter White

James Boughton

June 3, 2024

Harris & Ewing. Harry S. Truman Library

In This Episode

It’s no mystery where the IMF was born but its origin story might surprise you. While the spotlight was on the charismatic British economist John Maynard Keynes during the 1944 Bretton Woods Conference, a little-known American economist was working in the shadows. Harry Dexter White’s plan would lead to the creation of the IMF and forever change the world economy. In this podcast, IMF historian and author, James Boughton speaks with Rhoda Metcalfe about how Harry White made history without making a splash. Transcript

Read the article in Finance and Development Magazine

James Boughton is also the author of
Harry Dexter White and the American Creed.

James Boughton

JAMES BOUGHTON is a senior fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation and formerly historian of the IMF. He is the author of Harry Dexter White and the American Creed.

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Bruce Edwards

International Monetary Fund

Bruce Edwards produces the IMF podcast program. He's an award-winning audio producer and journalist who's covered armed conflicts, social unrest, and natural disasters from all corners of the world. He believes economists have an important role in solving the world's problems and aspires to showcase their research in every IMF podcast.

Rhoda Metcalfe

Journalist

Rhoda Metcalfe is an independent journalist and audio producer. Her reporting on the armed conflict in Colombia in the late 90s, as well as her work in Egypt, Turkey and South Africa has won several awards. She now produces podcasts and radio features from Washington DC and is a regular contributor to the IMF Podcast program.