Adam Smith

Adam Smith, an influential 18th-century Scottish economist and philosopher, is best known for his seminal work, "The Wealth of Nations." Born in 1723 in Kirkcaldy, Scotland, Smith's intellectual endeavors laid the groundwork for classical economics. Educated at the University of Glasgow and Balliol College, Oxford, his academic pursuits led him to become a key figure in the Scottish Enlightenment. Smith's philosophy emphasized the importance of free markets and the division of labor. His ideas on the "invisible hand" profoundly impacted economic theory and policy. Smith also contributed significantly to moral philosophy through his earlier work, "The Theory of Moral Sentiments."