EDITORIAL ESSAY: INTRODUCTION TO A SPECIAL ISSUE IN HONOR OF HENRY FARBER

Henry (Hank) Farber is a luminary in labor economics. His major research contributions span subjects as broad as the behavior of unions, arbitration systems, wage-setting, employer–employee matching, and labor supply. These achievements are evident from his curriculum vitae, or perhaps more profoundly by considering the way his papers have shaped the field. But, in Hank’s case, there is a whole dimension of influence that isn’t as visible in public records but is as important to our profession. In a word, one might understand this contribution as generosity: Hank’s acuity, effectiveness, and support as a mentor and adviser have provided incalculable benefits to the profession. Hank has developed a whole generation of scholars who today help define labor economics. Few other labor economists have had such an influence. On the occasion of Hank’s 65th birthday, his many students, collaborators, and friends gathered in Princeton, New Jersey, for a conference in his honor. Seven of the papers presented are included in this special issue. The ILR Review is the natural home for such an issue given Hank’s long-standing connection with Cornell and the journal. Hank started his career in labor economics as an MS student at the Industrial and Labor Relations School of Cornell, served as an Associate Editor of ILR Review for five years, and published three of his most influential articles in the journal.