Life of Adam Smith

"Life of Adam Smith" by John Rae is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The book delves into the life and experiences of Adam Smith, one of the most influential economists and philosophers, detailing his upbringing, education, and early professional life. The narrative aims to create a comprehensive view of Smith’s contributions and his environment, highlighting the events and relationships that shaped his famous works. The opening of the text presents a preface discussing the existing literature on Adam Smith, specifically mentioning Dugald Stewart’s early memoir and how it served as a foundation for understanding Smith’s life. The author introduces major influences in Smith’s early life, who fostered his academic prowess, including his parents and mentors. Furthermore, the text lays out the pivotal moments of Smith’s early education in Kirkcaldy and Glasgow College, emphasizing how these experiences began to shape his intellectual foundation and later contributions to economic theory. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

John Rae was a Scottish journalist and biographer. The long-time editor of The Contemporary Review, and contributor to The British Quarterly Review, he became famous for his 1895 biography of Adam Smith, Life of Adam Smith, which replaced the Biographical Memoir of Adam Smith of 1811, by Dugald Stewart, as the standard Smith reference.