Professor Richard Sylla is Professor Emeritus of Economics at the Stern School of Business at NYU. He teaches courses in comparative enterprise systems and the financial, economic, and business history of the United States. His research interests include historical studies of money, banking, and finance. Sylla is also the acclaimed author of several books, articles, essays, and reviews in business, economic, and financial history. His works have appeared in a number of publications, including the Journal of Economic History, Explorations in Economic History, and American Life.