A Conversation with Charlie Munger: DuBridge Distinguished Visitor Lecture
- Public Event
This event was digitally recorded and is available for viewing on the Caltech Theater site. Many other lectures are available for viewing online on the Caltech Theater site, and many Watson Lectures are available for purchase: DVD Order Form (PDF)
Please Note: No tickets are necessary for the DuBridge lecture; at least 300 seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests are encouraged to arrive early.
Charles T. Munger, vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., is the business partner of Warren Buffett and a major contributor to Berkshire Hathaway's legendary performance record. Forbes lists the self-made Munger as one of the 400 richest people in the United States.
Mr. Munger will be joined on stage in conversation by Dr. Thomas A. Tombrello, Chairman of the Division of Physics, Math and Astronomy, the William R. Kenan, Jr., Professor and Professor of Physics at Caltech.
Charlie Munger is the founding partner of the Los Angeles law firm Munger, Tolles & Olson, which he left in 1965 to focus on investing. He has been Berkshire Hathaway's vice chairman since 1979, and is also chairman and CEO of Berkshire subsidiary Wesco Financial Corp., based in Pasadena.
Munger is known for mixing advice with humor. In the book Poor Charlie's Almanack: The Wit and Wisdom of Charles T. Munger, edited by Peter D. Kaufman, Munger comments on his business, the stock market, philanthropy, psychology, money management, technology and other topics. He also provides tips on finding happiness: "A lot of success in life and business comes from knowing what you want to avoid: early death, a bad marriage, etc." The book takes its title from Poor Richard's Almanack, published by Benjamin Franklin, who has served as an inspiration to Munger.
About the Series
Lee A. DuBridge (1901-1994), internationally acclaimed scientist and administrator, was Caltech's president from 1946 to 1969, when he became science advisor to President Nixon. Called America's "senior statesman of science" by Time magazine in 1955, DuBridge was considered an exemplary research-university president in an era of vast scientific, societal, and educational change; he guided the growth of the modern Caltech, while maintaining a breadth of view, an understanding of and an interest in national affairs that was rare among university presidents. He was also a first-rate physicist, a leader in research that was of immense importance to the Allied victory in World War II.As a memorial to DuBridge and his numerous contributions to Caltech, Southern California, and the nation, Caltech has established the Lee Alvin DuBridge Distinguished Lecture Series to bring to campus prominent speakers of national and/or international importance. Prior lecturers in the series have been veteran journalist Walter Cronkite, financier Warren Buffett, Nobel Peace Prize-winner John Hume, Jack Valenti, longtime head of the MPAA, and award-winning journalist Judith Woodruff.