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Benjamin Graham

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Economist and writer on investing ideas


Benjamin Graham was an economist, investor, and writer who lived in the United States. He was born in 1894 in London, England, and later moved to the United States with his family. An economist is a person who studies how money, goods, and services move in society. Graham became known for writing about investing, which means putting money into businesses or projects with the hope of future return. His work focused on careful study and clear thinking rather than quick action.

Benjamin Graham grew up in New York City. His family faced money problems after his father died, which affected his early life. He studied at Columbia University, where he showed strong skill in math and writing. After finishing school, he worked on Wall Street. Wall Street is a name often used to describe the financial markets and businesses that buy and sell stocks in the United States. Graham worked as an analyst. An analyst is a person who studies information to understand how something works.

Graham believed that people should study a company before buying its stock. A stock is a small piece of ownership in a company. He wrote that a stock has a real value based on the company’s business, money, and actions. He warned that market prices can change for many reasons that do not always reflect this real value. To explain this idea, Graham often used simple examples. He compared the market to a person who offers to buy or sell every day at different prices.

One of Graham’s most important books is Security Analysis, first published in 1934 and written with David Dodd. Another well-known book is The Intelligent Investor, first published in 1949. These books describe ways to read company reports and financial statements. A financial statement is a document that shows how much money a company earns, spends, and owns. Graham explained these ideas using clear language and real cases from business history.

Benjamin Graham also worked as a teacher. He taught classes at Columbia University for many years. Some of his students later became well-known investors, including Warren Buffett. Graham’s classroom lessons often focused on reading facts carefully and avoiding strong emotions when making decisions. He believed that numbers, reports, and long-term thinking were important parts of understanding business activity.

Benjamin Graham died in 1976. His books are still printed and read in many countries. His name is often connected with the idea of studying facts before acting. He is remembered as a writer and teacher who helped explain how businesses are valued and how financial markets can change over time.

What We Can Learn

  • Benjamin Graham was an economist and investor.
  • He wrote books about careful study of companies.
  • He taught at Columbia University.
  • His ideas focused on facts and long-term thinking.