François Divisia in between rational economics and the establishment of the Econometric Society

The goal of this paper is to recover François Divisia’s economic thought and role in the foundation of the Econometric Society. This paper relies on historiographical material and on the correspondence between Divisia and Ragnar Frisch. The paper shows that Divisia was one of the masterminds behind the idea to form a group of thinkers interested in the quantitative progress of economics. Later, as the society’s first vice-president, Divisia also took part in its consolidation. Furthermore, Divisia championed an initial standalone scientific meeting for the society, and was central to the debate regarding its membership, advocating a diplomatic, welcoming ethos.