John Williams Mellor is a French-born American economist, known for his work in the field of economic and agricultural development in third world countries. In 1985 he was awarded the Wihuri International Prize, for his “constructive work that has remarkably promoted and developed the security of nutrient supply for mankind.” A Fulbright Scholar, he spent most of his academic career at his alma mater, Cornell University. In the early 1970s he became an economist for USAID, eventually becoming their chief economist in 1976. After leaving USAID, he became the second director-general of the International Food Policy Research Institute in 1977, where he remained until 1990. He has authored numerous articles, and several books, chiefly regarding economic and agricultural development in third world countries. Currently he runs John Mellor Associates as well as being a professor emeritus at Cornell.
Biography
Mellor was born in Neuilly-sur-Seine, a suburb of Paris, France on December 28, 1928. His parents were Desmond W. and Katherine Mellor, and the family immigrated to the United States in 1929. He graduated from Okemos High School in Okemos, Michigan, before attending Cornell University. He received a bachelor of science degree from Cornell in 1950, followed by a M.Sc. in 1951, both in economics. As undergraduate, he was a member of Telluride House and Quill and Dagger. He attended Oxford University on a Fulbright Scholarship, where he obtained a diploma in agriculture economics, before returning to Cornell where he was awarded a Ph.D. in agricultural economics. While working towards his doctorate, he was selected as a fellow of the Social Science Research Council.
Career
After graduation, Mellor became a lecturer at his alma mater. He worked in the following departments during his tenure at the university:Agricultural Economics, Economics, and Asian Studies. He eventually attained the rank of professor, and eventual professor emeritus. From 1961–64, he was the associate director for the university's Center for International Studies, followed by becoming director in 1964–65. He was also the director of the University's Program on Comparative Economic Development between 1973–77. In the early 70s, he joined USAID as economist, eventually rising to become their chief economist in 1976, a post he held through 1977. While at USAID, during the world food crisis of 1973–74, Mellor's expertise and advice was crucial to the U.S. response to that crisis and the humanitarian efforts which were put forward. His influence was also fundamental in the creation of the International Food Policy Research Institute in 1975, of which he became their second director-general in 1977. A post he held through 1991. He has also served as a professor at the American University of Beirut, as well as at Balwant Rajput College in India. Mellor served as a member of the Agricultural Credit Commission for the Reserve Bank India between 1986–88, and then served on the board on agriculture at the National Academy of Sciences from 1989–1992.
