Thomas Sowell is an American author, economist, and political commentator who is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University.
Thomas Sowell is the author of more than 45 books (including revised and new editions) on a variety of subjects including politics, economics, education and race, and he has been a syndicated columnist in more than 150 newspapers. Sowell was born in segregated Gastonia, North Carolina, to a poor family, and grew up in Harlem, New York City.
Due to poverty and difficulties at home, he dropped out of Stuyvesant High School and worked various odd jobs, eventually serving in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War.
Afterward he took night classes at Howard University and then attended Harvard University, where he graduated magna cum laude in 1958. He earned a master’s degree in economics from Columbia University the next year and a doctorate in economics from the University of Chicago in 1968.
In his academic career, he has served on the faculties of Cornell University, Amherst College, Brandeis University, the University of California, Los Angeles, and, currently, Stanford University. He has also worked at think tanks including the Urban Institute.
Since 1977, he has worked at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, where he is the Rose and Milton Friedman Senior Fellow on Public Policy.
Photo by Dan Hockett West Burlington’s Abbey Bence (20) shoots a jumper in the paint against Holy Trinity, Friday, January 13, 2023 at West Burlington, Iowa. West Burlington edged Holy Trinity, 54-53.Photo by Dan Hockett West Burlington’s Abbey Bence (20) is fouled by Holy Trinity’s Presley Myers (23) Friday, January 13, 2023 at West Burlington, Iowa. West Burlington edged Holy Trinity, 54-53.Holy Trinity Crusaders v. West Burlington Falcons, Friday, January 13, 2023 at West Burlington, Iowa. West Burlington edged Holy Trinity, 54-53. Photos by Dan Hockett
Photo by Dan Hockett West Burlington’s Parker Lau (4) shoots a jumper around Ft Madison’s Nolan Guzman (25) Saturday night in West Burlington. WB 68 – FM 48. Photo by Dan Hockett West Burlington’s Brady Martin (1) hits a layup. Photo by Dan Hockett West Burlington’s Conner Bush (2) drives around Jordan Simpson (11) Saturday night. ‘Achieve’ basketball scrimmage between Fort Madison Bloodhounds and West Burlington Falcons to benefit an area food pantry at West Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, November 19, 2022. FM 48 – WB 68. Photos by Dan Hockett
Photo by Dan Hockett West Burlington’s Abbey Bence (20) goes to the basket around Fort Madison’s Irelynd Sargent (15) Saturday night at West Burlington. Ft. Madison 57 – West Burlington 41. Photo by Dan Hockett West Burlington’s McKenna Marlow (10) drives the lane against Ft. Madison Saturday night. Photo by Dan Hockett West Burlington’s Isabelle Ritter (12) looks for two around Fort Madison’s Irelynd Sargent (15) at West Burlington Saturday. Ft. Madison 57 – West Burlington 41. ‘Achieve’ basketball scrimmage between Fort Madison Bloodhounds and West Burlington Falcons to benefit an area food pantry at West Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, November 19, 2022. FM 57 – WB 41. Photos by Dan Hockett
Photo by Dan Hockett Holy Trinity Catholic’s Anna Sobczak (6) beats the throw to West Burlington – Notre Dame’s Lacie Felkins (44) in the fourth inning Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at Barb Carter Field in West Burlington, Iowa. No. 4 (3A) WBND Falcons defeated Holy Trinity Catholic, 12-0, in 4-innings (mercy rule). Holy Trinity Catholic Crusaders v. (4th ranked, Class 3A) West Burlington – Notre Dame Falcons, at Barb Carter Field in West Burlington, Iowa, Tuesday June 7, 2022.  West Burlington –Notre Dame defeated Holy Trinity, 12-0, in 4-innings (mercy rule). Photos by Dan Hockett
Photo by Dan Hockett West Burlington – Notre Dame’s McKenna Marlow (2) takes first place in the Class-A, 100-meter dash, at the Falcon Relays Tuesday afternoon in West Burlington. Photo by Dan Hockett West Burlington – Notre Dame’s Josie Bentz (2) takes the baton from teammate Audrey Brockway on the final leg of the Class-A, 4×200-meter relay to take first place at the Falcon Relays Tuesday afternoon in West Burlington. Photo by Dan Hockett Danville’s Rylee Morris runs in the Class-B, 4×800, at the Falcon Relays Tuesday afternoon in West Burlington. Photo by Dan Hockett West Burlington – Notre Dame’s Kennedy Ritter (8) competes in the Class-A, 3000-meter run at the Falcon Relays Tuesday afternoon in West Burlington. Photo by Dan Hockett West Burlington – Notre Dame’s Hadley Augustine (5) competes in the Class-A, 400-meter run at the Falcon Relays Tuesday afternoon in West Burlington. Photo by Dan HockettPhoto by Dan HockettPhoto by Dan HockettPhoto by Dan HockettPhoto by Dan HockettPhoto by Dan HockettPhoto by Dan HockettPhoto by Dan HockettPhoto by Dan HockettPhoto by Dan HockettPhoto by Dan HockettPhoto by Dan HockettPhoto by Dan HockettPhoto by Dan Hockett2022 Falcon Relays, Tuesday, March 29, 2022 in West Burlington, Iowa. Photos by Dan Hockett
Photo by Dan Hockett New London’s Kade Benjamin takes first place in the high jump with a leap of 6’-6” at the Falcon Relays Monday afternoon in West Burlington. Photo by Dan Hockett New London’s Carter Allen takes first place in shot-put with a throw of 50’-11.5” at the Falcon Relays Monday afternoon in West Burlington. Photo by Dan Hockett West Burlington- Notre Dame’s Grant Boal places second in Class A with a leap of 5-06 at the Falcon Relays Monday afternoon in West Burlington. Photo by Dan Hockett Danville’s Caiden Gourley places second with a leap of 5-10 at the Falcon Relays Monday afternoon in West Burlington. Photo by Dan Hockett Danville’s Sawyer Nelson places third in Class B with a leap of 5-08 at the Falcon Relays Monday afternoon in West Burlington. Photo by Dan Hockett West Burlington- Notre Dame’s Tyler Burch takes fourth place in Class A with a throw of 42’-4” at the Falcon Relays Monday afternoon in West Burlington. Photo by Dan Hockett Danville’s Caiden Gourley places second with a leap of 5-10 at the Falcon Relays Monday afternoon in West Burlington. Photo by Dan Hockett West Burlington- Notre Dame’s Tyler Burch throws the discus at the Falcon Relays Monday afternoon in West Burlington. Photo by Dan Hockett
Photo by Dan HockettPhoto by Dan HockettPhoto by Dan HockettPhoto by Dan HockettPhoto by Dan HockettPhoto by Dan HockettPhoto by Dan HockettPhoto by Dan HockettPhoto by Dan Hockett2022 Falcon Relays Monday, March 28, 2022 in West Burlington, Iowa. Photos by Dan Hockett
Photo by Dan Hockett Holy Trinity’s Adam Sobczak (14) bats away a shot by West Burlington’s Kaleb Allen (10) Friday night (Dec. 10) at West Burlington. West Burlington won, 71-35. Photo by Dan Hockett West Burlington’s Brady Martin (1) shoots a three against Holy Trinity Friday night (Dec. 10) at West Burlington. West Burlington won, 71-35. Photo by Dan Hockett West Burlington’s Hayden Vandenberg (30) shoots against Holy Trinity Friday night (Dec. 10) at West Burlington. West Burlington won, 71-35.
Holy Trinity Crusaders v West Burlington Falcons, Friday December 10, 2021 at West Burlington, Iowa. West Burlington won, 71-35. Photos by Dan Hockett
Photo by Dan Hockett West Burlington’s Kenna Marlow (1) shoots over Holy Trinity defender Friday night (Dec. 10) at West Burlington. West Burlington won, 68-43. Photo by Dan Hockett West Burlington’s Abbey Bence (20) looks to the basket against Holy Trinity Friday night (Dec. 10) at West Burlington. West Burlington won, 68-43. Photo by Dan Hockett West Burlington’s Logan Kelley (15) looks to the basket around Holy Trinity’s Natalie Randolph (12) Friday night (Dec. 10) at West Burlington. West Burlington won, 68-43.
Holy Trinity Crusaders v West Burlington Falcons, Friday December 10, 2021 at West Burlington, Iowa. West Burlington won, 68-43. Photos by Dan Hockett
Photo by Dan Hockett West Burlington volleyball team celebrates with Head Coach Maureen Heath after sweeping Holy Trinity Tuesday night in West Burlington. West Burlington (9th ranked Class 3A) downed Holy Trinity (5th ranked Class 1A); 25-22, 25-20, 25-23. Photo by Dan Hockett West Burlington’s Sophia Armstrong (19) taps the ball past Holy Trinity’s Teagan Denning (16) Tuesday night in West Burlington. West Burlington (9th ranked Class 3A) downed Holy Trinity (5th ranked Class 1A); 25-22, 25-20, 25-23.
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Holy Trinity Crusaders (5th ranked Iowa Class 1A) v West Burlington Falcons (9th ranked Iowa Class 3A) at West Burlington, Iowa Tuesday October 5, 2021. West Burlington swept Holy Trinity; 25-22, 25-20 and 25-23). Photos by Dan Hockett
