William Richard Allen (April 3, 1924 – January 15, 2021)[1] was an American economist, professor and author.
He was known for his authorship of economic literature alongside frequent co-author Armen Alchian.
He was a consultant to the Balance of Payments Division of the Department of Commerce and a director of the Yardney Corporation.
He has authored, co-authored, and edited nine books and has contributed widely to professional journals in the United States and elsewhere.
From 1978 to 1992 more than 200 radio stations carried daily broadcasts of “the Midnight Economist” written and delivered by Allen.