Gordon Tullock was an influential American economist and a key figure in the field of public choice theory. Born on February 13, 1922, he contributed significantly to understanding how political decisions are made and how they can be analyzed using economic principles. Tullock's work often focused on the behavior of individuals within political systems, emphasizing the role of incentives and self-interest. Tullock co-founded the Public Choice Society and collaborated with other prominent economists, including James M. Buchanan, with whom he shared the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences in 1986. His ideas have had a lasting impact on economics, political science, and law, shaping discussions around government efficiency and the nature of political institutions.