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September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Money & Work • Economist

Alan Greenspan

Alan Greenspan was an American economist best known for serving as chair of the U.S.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

Alan Greenspan was an American economist who served as chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve from 1987 to 2006, making him one of the most influential central bankers in modern history.

What it is

Alan Greenspan was an American economist and public official best known for leading the U.S. Federal Reserve for nearly two decades. He also chaired the Council of Economic Advisers under President Gerald Ford and co-founded the economic consulting firm Townsend-Greenspan & Company.

Why it matters

Greenspan's tenure at the Federal Reserve spanned four U.S. presidencies and a period of strong economic growth. His monetary policy decisions influenced global interest rates and financial markets, including Canada's economy. After the 2008 financial crisis, his deregulatory views drew criticism for contributing to instability.

Key details

Born in 1926 in New York City, Greenspan earned a doctorate in economics from New York University. He served as Fed chair from August 1987 to January 2006 and later wrote books such as *The Age of Turbulence* and *Capitalism in America*. He died in 2026 at age 100.

In short

  • Served as U.S. Federal Reserve chair from 1987 to 2006.
  • Influenced global monetary policy and financial markets.
  • Wrote several books on economics and forecasting.
  • Died in 2026 at age 100.
Canadian angle

Greenspan’s Federal Reserve decisions influenced global interest rates, financial markets, and trade conditions, which also affected Canada’s economy and monetary environment.

Quick questions

Who is Alan Greenspan?
Alan Greenspan was an American economist best known as chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve from 1987 to 2006.
What is the Greenspan put?
The Greenspan put is a market term for the belief that the Federal Reserve under Greenspan would cut rates or support markets during financial stress. It is an interpretation of his policy style, not an official policy name.
Books by Alan Greenspan
Notable books include *The Age of Turbulence* (2007), *The Map and the Territory 2.0* (2014), and *Capitalism in America: A History* (2018).

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Greenspan
    Supports: Birth and death dates; Federal Reserve chair tenure; book titles; death at age 100.
  2. Federal Reserve History — https://www.federalreservehistory.org/people/alan-greenspan
    Supports: Federal Reserve chair terms and tenure dates.
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/money/Alan-Greenspan
    Supports: Biographical overview; Federal Reserve chair years; book authorship.
  4. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/summary/Alan-Greenspan
    Supports: Summary of career, education, and policy role.
  5. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjer7x7yl12o
    Supports: Death in 2026 at age 100 and obituary details.
  6. Penguin Random House — https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/78868/alan-greenspan/
    Supports: Education, consulting career, and authored books.
  7. CNN — https://www.cnn.com/us/alan-greenspan-fast-facts
    Supports: Career timeline, appointment to the Federal Reserve, and major honors.