12 Facts About Vera Anstey

Vera Anstey was a British economist and noted expert on the economy of India.

Vera Anstey was born in Reigate, Surrey on 3 January 1889.

Vera Anstey's father was leather merchant James Powell and her mother was Mary Sophia Powell.

The family consisted of her parents, three daughters and three sons, with Vera Anstey being the second of the three daughters.

Vera Anstey was schooled at Cheltenham Ladies' College and spent a year at the Hoch Conservatory in Frankfurt, Germany studying German and music.

Vera Anstey's education continued at Bedford School for Women where she studied for a diploma in public health.

Vera Anstey took the role of principal at the Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics, Bombay in 1914 and Vera accompanied him to India.

Vera Anstey was promoted and became a lecturer in commerce during 1929, received a DSc degree in 1930 and was appointed the Sir Ernest Cassel reader in commerce in 1941.

Vera Anstey established a seminar on Indian economic development which was well received and which she ran until 1965, and would write several texts concerning the Indian economy, which gained widespread recognition.

Vera Anstey would go on to serve as dean of the school of economics for the wider University of London during 1950 to 1954.

Vera Anstey served on the commission from appointment in 1951 to completion of the work in 1955.

Vera Anstey retired from a full-time position at the London School of Economics in 1954, remaining a part-time member of staff until finally retiring in 1964.