This classic life of the economist Adam Smith, by British biographer JOHN RAE (1845-1915), has been the standard backgrounder on the author of The Wealth of Nations for more than a century. First published in 1895 and astonishingly complex, this highly readable work explores all the influences on Smith’s economic philosophies, from his early life in then-poor, hardscrabble Scotland to his university experiences to his life in London and friendship with Ben Franklin. Complete with illustrative tidbits on everything from Smith’s supposed helplessness in business transactions to his absentmindedness and brimming with personal letters and firsthand observations, this is an essential work for understanding the thinking of one of history’s most influential economists.