Paul Lawrence, Harvard Business School professor, dies at 89

The pioneering professor at Harvard Business School died November 1 at age 89.

Paul Lawrence, M.B.A. ’47, D.C.S. ’50, a Harvard Business School professor whose work on a unifying theory of organizational behavior was the subject of an article in the September-October issue of this magazine, died November 1 at the age of 89. The Donham professor of organizational behavior emeritus at the time of his death, Lawrence was a leading scholar in his field, the author of 26 books and countless articles.

An obituary appears on the Harvard Business School website.

You might also like

Due to rain, the University held dual Convocation ceremonies for the Class of 2030 in Sanders Theatre.

President Alan M. Garber used traditional Memorial Church address to consider the unique qualities of human intelligence and learning.

The University will compensate families of those whose remains were sold and establish a scholarship to honor anatomical donors.

Most popular

All That’s Unseen charts the Harvard graduate’s uneasy journey from Appalachia to Cambridge and back.  

Harvard Weathers a Year of Turmoil

The federal government has launched unprecedented actions against the University. Here’s a guide.

Lafayette’s Unexpected Gift to George Washington: Pheasants

The two birds will be on display at Harvard this summer.

Explore More From Current Issue

Portrait of a man in a denim shirt beside a blue book cover for "Gretal and the Great War" featuring an illustration of a leg holding an army helmet..

The Gretel and the Great War author on how the Lampoon derailed his science career—and set him on a literary path.

A woman with long, wavy hair wearing a white suit, seated in a bright, modern room.

The Harvard graduate’s roundtable talk show touches on hot button issues from religion to sex. 

Runners compete on a track, with a Harvard athlete in the foreground and others behind.

After a historic 2025-26 season, athletes eye NCAA championships.