The Kirkcaldy Edition

This is the essential volume about the great economist and philosopher Adam Smith, combining his classic ‘Wealth of Nations’ with John Rae’s celebrated biography of his life.

‘An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations’ by Adam Smith was first published in the momentous year of 1776. It is this which is considered Smith’s magnum opus. It is rightly hailed as the first modern work of economics. During his lifetime Smith gained a fully justified reputation as a brilliant social philosopher and is also widely cited as the father of modern economics, in particular for his work on the theory and principles of capitalism. He is still among the most influential thinkers in the field of economics today and his great work is essential reading for every student of economics.

‘The  Life of Adam Smith’ was written by John Rae, and is widely regarded as Smith’s definitive life story. 

This illustrated edition features an introduction by The Right Honourable Gordon Brown MP.