In memory of Paul Klein (1968–2024)
Paul Klein passed away suddenly on 19 August 2024. He is mourned by his sister Pernilla and her two children Agnes and Edvin, as well as by a large number of close relatives, research colleagues, and friends around the world.
After completing studies that included a Philosophy-Politics-Economics degree from Oxford, Paul earned his doctorate at the Institute for International Economic Studies at Stockholm University in 1997. This was followed by a position as an assistant professor at Western University in Canada.
Later in life, Paul described his years in Canada as some of the happiest in his life: his research advanced rapidly, he made many new friends and colleagues, and Canadian society – with its openness and tolerance – aligned perfectly with Paul’s liberal values. He retained his Canadian citizenship throughout his life and often wore a red cap with the Canadian maple leaf on the front as a statement.
In 2015, Paul became a professor at the Department of Economics at Stockholm University. He primarily taught a course in macroeconomics in the department’s master’s program, as well as courses in mathematics and macroeconomics in the joint doctoral program of Stockholm University and the Stockholm School of Economics.
Additionally, he extensively supervised students at various levels and conducted his own distinguished research. He had an impressive list of co-authors, including David Domeij, Per Krusell, José-Víctor Ríos-Rull, Gustavo Ventura, and Till Gross. It remains unclear whether his collaboration with the latter was initiated so they could eventually publish their papers in German under the signature ”Gross und Klein”, but for those familiar with Paul’s sense of humor, this could not be ruled out.
Paul’s most cited article, with more than 1,200 citations on Google Scholar, presented an algorithm for solving multivariate linear systems in economic models with rational expectations. He also wrote highly acclaimed articles on time consistency in fiscal policy with Per Krusell and José-Víctor Ríos-Rull, and on why childcare should be subsidized, with David Domeij.
As a person, Paul was very kind, cheerful, and helpful. As a teacher, he could set high standards. If a student complained, he would say that he would consider it and ”dumb down” the course next year. He had a brilliant intellect and an incredible gift for expression. It is said that English is a language easy to learn to speak, but very difficult to learn to speak well. Paul spoke it well: it was a delight to hear him present his research with absolute control over every word and expression.
He had an impressive breadth of knowledge on the most diverse subjects, such as political philosophy, British parliamentarism, the history of the Liberal Party, Herbert Tingsten’s collected works, high and low culture, such as Ernst-Hugo Järegård’s classic monologue in Riket, or why the Old Testament’s depiction of Abraham’s struggle with God could be seen as radical, even almost liberal, for its time. He had a tremendous aversion, paired with humor, to intellectual sloppiness and half-baked ideas, but also an equally great joy in discovering what was well thought out and good.
We at the Department of Economics mourn the loss of Paul, but will cherish the memory of him as a skilled researcher, an inspiring teacher, and a great conversationalist.
