Howard H. Stevenson, Harvard's 'Father of Entrepreneurship,' Dies at 85

Howard H. Stevenson, a Harvard Business School professor emeritus widely regarded as the 'father of entrepreneurship,' died Saturday night at the age of 85 following a prolonged illness.

His death was confirmed by Amar Bhide, a Columbia University professor and author, who was a former protégé, frequent collaborator, and longtime friend of Stevenson. Bhide described Stevenson as "irreverent, incredibly bright, creative, and successful," highlighting his exceptional "intellectual generosity."

Stevenson earned his undergraduate degree from Stanford University before pursuing MBA and DBA degrees at Harvard Business School. He began his career teaching business policy at HBS in the late 1960s, later moving into finance and serving as a vice president for finance and administration at a paper manufacturer.

In 1982, Stevenson was recruited back to Harvard Business School by then-dean John McArthur to revitalize the institution's struggling entrepreneurship program. At the time, MBA students expressed strong interest in the field, but faculty members were hesitant to teach a subject they perceived as academically flawed.

Stevenson's tenure significantly shaped the study of entrepreneurship in the 1980s, developing a concise definition that became a widely adopted mantra in the business community. His efforts transformed how entrepreneurship was taught and understood by aspiring founders.