Peter Mieszkowski, a professor emeritus of economics and the former Allyn R. and Gladys M. Cline Professor of Economics and Finance at Rice University, passed away Dec. 25, 2024. A distinguished scholar whose pioneering contributions shaped the field of public economics, Mieszkowski leaves behind a legacy of academic brilliance and profound impact on economic thought.
Born in Poland and raised in Canada, Mieszkowski earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from McGill University before completing his doctorate at The Johns Hopkins University. His career in academia included faculty positions at Yale University, Queen’s University in Canada and the University of Houston before he joined Rice’s economics department in 1981. He retired from Rice in 2009.
Mieszkowski made significant contributions to the fields of public finance and urban economics, most notably with his 1972 general equilibrium analysis introducing the “new view” of property tax that reshaped perceptions of its economic and distributional effects and remains a cornerstone for policymakers. In 1986, he and George Zodrow, the current Allyn R. and Gladys M. Cline Chair of Economics, developed a foundational theory of tax competition that examines the challenges of taxing mobile capital and its impact on public goods provision, sparking a lasting field of research.
Beyond those influential works, Mieszkowski’s extensive scholarship covered topics such as corporate and sales taxation, land use regulation, urban decentralization and racial housing discrimination as well as applied research on policies like negative income taxation and tax reform in transitional economies, demonstrating his commitment to both theoretical rigor and practical solutions.
Mieszkowski’s collection of essays, “Taxes, Public Goods and Urban Economics: The Selected Essays of Peter Mieszkowski,” published in 1999, is a testament to his long-standing impact on the field. In 2009, he was awarded the Daniel M. Holland Medal, the National Tax Association’s highest honor for lifetime achievement in public finance.
Beyond his academic achievements, Mieszkowski was a dedicated mentor and a valued colleague.
“Peter Mieszkowski was a towering figure in the field of public economics whose groundbreaking research profoundly shaped our understanding of taxation, public finance and urban economics,” said Rachel Kimbro, dean of the Rice School of Social Sciences. “Beyond his scholarly achievements, he was a cherished colleague, a dedicated mentor and a source of inspiration to generations of students and faculty. His intellectual legacy will endure, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him.”
Mieszkowski’s longtime colleague and collaborator, Zodrow, recalls how his friend’s intellect, humility and passion for economics inspired countless students and peers.
“Peter was a brilliant and prolific scholar with incredible insights into issues in public economics and many other topics,” Zodrow said. “He was an outstanding co-author and an even better friend and colleague — it was a privilege and a pleasure to work with him over these many years. We will all miss him dearly.”
Mieszkowski and his wife, Gretchen, were married 59 years before her passing in 2023. He is survived by his son Jan Mieszkowski, daughter-in-law Sarah Roff, daughter Katharine Mieszkowski, son-in-law Jim Fisher and grandchildren Iris and Petra Fisher.
A memorial service is being planned for fall 2025 with details to be announced. A tribute from the Department of Economics is online at https://economics.rice.edu.