During this time he published his first book, The Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759).įor three years (1763-1766) he traveled throughout Europe as the private tutor of a young British nobleman, including almost two years in France, during which time Adam Smith came to know many of the leading French Physiocrats in Paris. How different the history of economic ideas might have been if instead of his release, Adam Smith had grown up among the gypsies and made a living reading tarot cards and picking pockets!Īdam Smith studied at the University of Glasgow and Oxford University, after which he lectured for a time at the University of Edinburgh, and then for thirteen years at the University of Glasgow (1751-1763) as Professor of Moral Philosophy. A posse was formed, the gypsy band was caught up with, and little Adam was soon returned to his mother.
The story has been told that when he was four years old a band of gypsies stole him away while visiting his grandfather. His father died two months after he was born, and was raised by his mother, with whom he remained close throughout her life.
He was born in Kirkcaldy, Scotland on Jand he died on July 17, 1790, at the age of 67. Much of Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations is an attack on mercantilism.Īdam Smith is, without doubt, the most famous member of that group of Scottish Moral Philosophers who contributed to the development of social and economic understanding of the market economy and how economic liberty makes human prosperity possible.
0 kommentar(er)
