Eric Hilt

Eric Hilt is Professor of Economics at Wellesley College and a Research Associate of the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). He serves as Co-Editor of the Journal of Economic History and is affiliated with Wellesley's Department of Economics, where he teaches courses in American economic and financial history, finance, and macroeconomics. His research focuses on the economic, financial, and business history of the United States, with particular attention to corporate governance, financial institutions, and legal frameworks.

Hilt received his academic training at:

• B.A. from Occidental College
• M.Phil from Columbia University
• Ph.D. from Columbia University (2002)

His research explores how legal institutions shape economic and financial development, with significant work on American business organizations, corporate governance, and financial crises throughout U.S. history. He has examined topics ranging from the role of bankers on 19th-century corporate boards to the shareholder protections in early American corporations and the organizational forms in the American whaling industry. His methodological approach combines historical analysis with sophisticated theoretical and empirical techniques, often placing U.S. developments in comparative international perspective.

Hilt's publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on the intersection of corporate governance, financial institutions, and historical economic development. His work spans from early American financial history (Panic of 1826) through the Gilded Age (Panic of 1873) to the early 20th century (Panic of 1907). A recurring theme is how legal and institutional frameworks shape business organization and financial markets. His most recent work has increasingly addressed political economy questions, examining connections between financial asset ownership and political behavior, as well as the role of political discretion in antitrust enforcement.

Hilt's scientific contributions have been recognized with several prestigious awards:

• Arthur Cole Prize from the Economic History Association (2009)
• Explorations Prize for best paper in Explorations in Economic History (2009)
• Visiting scholar fellowship at the Russell Sage Foundation (2011-12)
• Visiting Associate Professor position at Yale University (2014-15)

His research has appeared in top journals including the American Economic Review, Journal of Political Economy, Journal of Economic History, and Business History Review. Hilt has also contributed to important scholarly debates, particularly regarding the New History of Capitalism and the historical evolution of corporate governance structures. His work bridges economic history, financial economics, and institutional analysis, providing historical context for contemporary discussions about financial regulation and corporate governance.