The Frankfurt Institute for Social Research was established in 1923 originally as a German centre for Marxist economic research. Its odyssey traversed tumultuous historical periods, witnessing the downfall of the Weimar Republic, the rise of the Nazi regime, and beyond. The Frankfurt Institute itself underwent significant structural changes, notably a pivotal shift in directorship a few years after its founding, when the political economist Carl Grünberg decided to step down and the social philosopher Max Horkheimer took over. Despite the Institute’s substantial contributions to economic theory during both directorships, the remarkable work of its economists has been overshadowed by the pronounced and widespread focus on its philosophers and cultural critics. Not only was economic theory central to the work of the Institute until 1945 at the very least, but it formed the substructure of the renowned Frankfurt School’s Critical Theory. In this centennial tribute to the Institute’s founding in Frankfurt, this thesis embarks on a journey of exploration, shedding light on the under-researched economists of the Institute within the historical contexts in which they operated. By doing so, it contributes to a deeper understanding of the Institute’s multidimensional legacy, enabling us to appreciate the significance of these underappreciated economists in shaping critical economic discourse during the twentieth century and offering a renewed perspective on the intricate interplay between economics, politics, history, and epistemology, which lay at the heart of the Institute’s endeavours.