E.F. Schumacher was a British economist and author, best known for his influential book, "Small Is Beautiful," published in 1973. He advocated for sustainable development and criticized the prevailing economic focus on growth and industrialization. Schumacher emphasized the importance of human-scale, appropriate technology and the need for a more ethical approach to economics. Born in 1911 in Germany, Schumacher studied at the University of Oxford and later worked for the British government during World War II. He became a prominent figure in the Buddhist economics movement, promoting the idea that economic systems should prioritize human well-being and environmental sustainability over mere profit.