John Kenneth Galbraith, In His Own Words John Kenneth Galbraith -- social economist, Harvard professor, diplomat -- is dead at 97. His work influenced Roosevelt, Kennedy and Johnson and generations of U.S. politicians. He spoke to Howard Berkes in 1999.

John Kenneth Galbraith, In His Own Words

John Kenneth Galbraith, In His Own Words

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John Kenneth Galbraith in his library, 1965. Hulton Archive/Getty Images hide caption

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Hulton Archive/Getty Images

John Kenneth Galbraith in his library, 1965.

Hulton Archive/Getty Images

John Kenneth Galbraith -- social economist, Harvard professor, diplomat -- is dead at 97. His work influenced Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, as well as generations of U.S. politicians. He spoke with NPR's Howard Berkes in 1999.

John Galbraith Interview

NPR's Howard Berkes talked with John Kenneth Galbraith in 1999 about his book, "Name Dropping."

Audio will be available later today.

The 6-foot-8 Galbraith literally towered over many of the people he brushed paths with over his astonishingly long career. He tells Berkes that his role as supervisor of price controls during World War II was the height of his official power. But his influence lives on.