History and management practice and thought: an autobiography

Purpose – This piece is a republished autobiography of Alfred D. Chandler, Jr. Design/methodology/approach – Chandler reflects on his life and career as a management historian. Findings – Chandler reflects on his life and career, in particular how he came to write Strategy and Structure and its impact on him as a historian. He also discusses his life at Harvard Business School, the editing of the Roosevelt letters, and the writing of The Visible Hand . Originality/value – This is excellent background material for the other papers in the issue, as well as a valuable personal insight into Chandler's own thinking.