Charles Plosser, Ph.D.

Charles I. Plosser, a distinguished economist, educator, and central banker, passed away on August 14, 2025, at the age of 76. His passing marks the end of a remarkable career that shaped modern macroeconomic thought and influenced U.S. monetary policy during a pivotal era.

Plosser was an active speaker and thought contributor with the Global Interdependence Center through his engagement in GIC Programs around the world at Central Banking Conferences in Tokyo, Milan, Santiago, Helsinki, Paris, Jackson Hole and more. GIC honored Plosser with the GIC Global Citizen Award in 2011 for his longstanding support of its mission and vision and  welcomed Plosser as a Fellow of its College of Central Bankers in 2019, where he remained engaged an active speaker until July 2025.

Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Plosser earned his undergraduate degree in engineering from Vanderbilt University before pursuing an MBA and Ph.D. in economics at the University of Chicago. There, he was deeply influenced by the Chicago School’s emphasis on rigorous empirical analysis and market-based principles. His early academic work helped lay the foundation for real business-cycle theory, a major contribution to macroeconomics.

Plosser served as dean of the William E. Simon Graduate School of Business Administration at the University of Rochester, where he was also the John M. Olin Distinguished Professor of Economics and Public Policy. His tenure was marked by a commitment to academic excellence and the development of future leaders in economics and finance.

In 2006, Plosser was appointed President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, a role he held until his retirement in 2015. During his time on the Federal Open Market Committee, he became known for his principled views on monetary policy, advocating for transparency, rule-based frameworks, and restraint in the use of unconventional tools. He often emphasized that: “Monetary policy should be systematic and predictable, not driven by discretion or short-term pressures.”

Plosser was a steadfast defender of central bank independence and credibility, stating: “The credibility of the central bank is its most valuable asset. Once lost, it is difficult to regain.”

Following his retirement, Plosser remained active in policy circles as a Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution and as a Public Governor for FINRA. He continued to speak and write on issues of inflation, financial regulation, and the role of central banks in democratic societies.

Charles Plosser will be remembered for his intellectual rigor, integrity, and unwavering commitment to sound economic principles. His legacy lives on in the institutions he shaped, the students he mentored, and the policies he helped guide. He is survived by his family, colleagues, and a global community of economists and policymakers who benefited from his wisdom and leadership.

Click here for Dr. Plosser’s Obituary.