George Stigler was an influential American economist known for his work in the field of industrial organization and the economics of information. Born in 1911, he became a prominent figure in the Chicago School of Economics, which emphasized free-market principles. Stigler's research focused on how information affects market behavior and competition. In 1982, Stigler was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences for his contributions to understanding the role of information in economic theory. His work laid the foundation for further studies in market structure and regulatory economics, influencing both academic thought and public policy.