Daron Acemoglu is a prominent economist known for his work on political economy and economic development. He was born on September 3, 1967, in Istanbul, Turkey, and later moved to the United States for his education. Acemoglu is a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and has published extensively on how institutions influence economic outcomes. Acemoglu gained widespread recognition for his book, Why Nations Fail, co-authored with James A. Robinson. The book argues that the quality of a country's institutions, rather than geography or culture, is the primary driver of economic prosperity. His research has significantly impacted the fields of economics and political science.