John Williams Mellor is a French-born American economist, known for his work in the field of economic and agricultural development in third world countries. In 1985, he was awarded the Wihuri International Prize, for his “constructive work that has remarkably promoted and developed the security of nutrient supply for mankind.” A Fulbright Scholar, he spent most of his academic career at his alma mater, Cornell University. In the early 1970s, he became an economist for USAID, eventually becoming their chief economist in 1976. After leaving USAID, he became the second director-general of the International Food Policy Research Institute in 1977, where he remained until 1990. He has authored numerous articles, and several books, chiefly regarding economic and agricultural development in third world countries. Currently he runs John Mellor Associates as well as being a professor emeritus at Cornell. Biography Mellor was born in Neuilly-sur-Seine, a suburb of Paris, France on December 28, 1928. His parents were Desmond W. and Katherine (Beardsley) Mellor, and the family immigrated to the United States in 1929. He graduated from Okemos High School in Okemos, Michigan, before attending Cornell University. He received a bachelor of science degree (with distinction) from Cornell in 1950, followed by a M.Sc. in 1951, both in economics. As undergraduate, he was a member of Telluride House and Quill and Dagger. He attended Oxford University on a Fulbright Scholarship, where he obtained a diploma in agriculture economics, before returning to Cornell where he was awarded a Ph.D. (with distinction) in agricultural economics. While working towards his doctorate, he was selected as a fellow of the Social Science Research Council. Career After graduation, Mellor became a lecturer at his alma mater. He worked in the following departments during his tenure at the university:Agricultural Economics, Economics, and Asian Studies. He eventually attained the rank of professor, and eventual professor emeritus. From 1961–64, he was the associate director for the university's Center for International Studies, followed by becoming director in 1964–65. He was also the director of the University's Program on Comparative Economic Development between 1973–77. In the early 70s, he joined USAID as economist, eventually rising to become their chief economist in 1976, a post he held through 1977. While at USAID, during the world food crisis of 1973–74, Mellor's expertise and advice was crucial to the U.S. response to that crisis and the humanitarian efforts which were put forward. His influence was