Gunnar Myrdal was a Swedish economist, politician and social advocate who was one of the most influential thinkers of the 20th century. He was awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 1974 in recognition of his pioneering research in the fields of economics and sociology.

Myddal is best known for his work on price theory, international development and social advocacy. His pioneering research on price theory helped shape the development of modern economic theory, while his international development work encouraged the economic growth of developing nations around the world.

In addition to his research, Myrdal was also a prominent human rights defender and advocate for social equality. His political and social views, which heavily influenced his writing and research, often espoused strong left-wing ideologies.

One of Myrdal's most significant contributions to social science was his work with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. In 1948, he authored An American Dilemma, in which he argued that racism was a social problem, and proposed egalitarian solutions to improve the plight of African Americans.

In the 1970s, Myrdal was politically active in Sweden, where he argued for an expansion of the welfare state, establishing the Swedish Institute for Social Analysis.

By the end of his career, Myrdal had published over one hundred books and articles, and had served as a professor at three different universities. He was highly influential in the fields of economics and sociology, and his legacy lives on in his work on international development and the improvement of social welfare.