Adam Smith was born in June 1723 in Kirkcaldy. A Scottish philosopher and economist, Smith was a leading figure of the Scottish Enlightenment and a professor of moral philosophy at the University of Glasgow. His first book, The Theory of Moral Sentiments of 1759, examined how sympathy shapes moral judgement. His greatest work, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations of 1776, argued that the division of labour, competition and free trade increased prosperity, and it introduced the image of the invisible hand. He is often called the father of modern economics. He was a friend of David Hume and later worked as a commissioner of customs in Edinburgh.
Before and after
- 30 August 1721Treaty of Nystad
- from 22 October 1721 to 1 September 1917Russian Empire
- 1722Construction of Élysée Palace
- 1723Founding of Montevideo
- June 1723Birth of Adam Smith
- 22 January 1724Founding of Saint Petersburg State University
- 22 April 1724Birth of Immanuel Kant
- 24 September 1724Founding of Euronext Paris
- 1725The Four Seasons
More in Society, economy & sport
- 8 February 1575Founding of Leiden University
- from 1602 to 1799Founding of Dutch East India Company
- August 1619The first enslaved Africans arrive in English Virginia
- November 1660Founding of Royal Society of London
- 1668Founding of Sveriges Riksbank
- 1734Founding of University of Göttingen
The era
This moment belongs to the Early modern world (1500 CE to 1760 CE), voyages, printing and new ideas. You can also browse everything in the 18th century.