MIT World Speakers

George Soros

In addition to launching Soros Fund Management, George Soros also established the Open Society Institute, a foundation making grants to foster democracy, human rights, and socioeconomic reform. Born in Hungary in 1930, he survived the Nazi occupation and escaped the ensuing communist regime to England. He was educated at the London School of Economics and was a disciple of philosopher Karl Popper. After relocating to the United States in 1956, he undertook a career in investing, the success of which has enabled his worldwide philanthropic efforts.

Soros developed a “theory of reflexivity,” which has shaped his approach to investing by anticipating financial bubbles. He is the author of nine books on finance, investment, global capitalism, and political philosophy. His most recent book is The New Paradigm for Financial Markets – The Credit Crisis of 2008 and What it Means.