Adam Smith Bio

Adam Smith was a Scottish economist, philosopher, and author. His theories have influenced the
way economic markets all over the world have functioned for many, many years. In his best known
work, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, Smith discussed the concept
of the division of labour and said that value comes from the labour that it takes to produce
something.

Smith was born in Kirkcaldy, Scotland. The exact date of his birth is unknown. However, he was
baptized at Kirkcaldy on June 5, 1723, his father died six months prior to his birth and Smith was
raised by his widowed mother, who encouraged her son to pursue his scholarly interests. At the age
of fourteen Smith attended the University of Glasgow. At Glasgow, Smith studied philosophy and
was taught by the famous philosopher Francis Hutcheson. After graduating, Adam attended Oxford
University in England.

Soon after graduating, Smith delivered a series of Public Lectures in Edinburgh which led him to
collaborate with philosopher David Hume during the Scottish Enlightenment in 1750. It was during
this time, Smith began to formulate the ideas that would make him famous.

His theories have influenced the way nations have been formed and his ideas are at the heart of
many governments and societies. He was bestowed with the title of ‘Father of Modern Economics’,
for his work and writings.

Smith never married and on his death bed, he was believed to have regretted that he had not
achieved enough. As a last wish, he wanted his personal papers to be destroyed after his death.