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Adam Smith was born in 1723 in Kirkcaldy, Scotland. Smith was one of the principals of a period of astonishing learning that has become known as the Scottish Enlightenment, which included groundbreaking innovations in everything from medicine to geology to chemistry to philosophy to economics. Smith is the author of two published books: The Theory of Moral Sentiments (TMS), in 1759, and An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations (WN), in 1776. TMS brought Smith considerable acclaim during his lifetime and was soon considered one of the great works of moral theory—impressing, for example, Charles Darwin (1809–82), who in his 1871 Descent of Man endorsed and accepted several of Smith’s “striking” conclusions. And TMS went through fully six revised editions during Smith’s lifetime. Yet since the nineteenth century, Smith’s fame has largely rested on his second book, which, whether judged by its influence or its greatness, must be considered one of the most important works of the second millennium.

Not many details of Smith’s boyhood are known. He was born on the 5th of June and was an only child. His father, also named Adam Smith, died shortly before he was born. In his 1793 Account of the Life and Writings of Adam Smith, LL.D., Smith’s student Dugald Stewart reports that Smith’s “constitution during infancy was infirm and sickly, and required all the tender solicitude of his surviving parent. She was blamed for treating him with an unlimited indulgence; but it produced no unfavourable effects on his temper or his dispositions” (Smith, 1982a: 269). Perhaps one anecdote from Smith’s childhood bears repeating. Margaret, Smith’s mother, would regularly take him to Strathenry, about seven miles northwest of Kirkaldy, to visit her brother, Smith’s uncle. On one visit, when the wee Smith was but three years old, he was playing in front of his uncle’s house and was kidnapped by a passing group of “gypsies.” The alarm was raised and the kidnappers were discovered and overtaken in the nearby Leslie wood, whereupon the wailing toddler was safely returned to his family. Stewart writes that Smith’s uncle, who recovered Smith, “was the happy instrument of preserving to the world a genius, which was destined, not only to extend the boundaries of science, but to enlighten and reform the commercial policy of Europe” (Smith, 1982: 270).

Smith matriculated at the University of Glasgow in 1737 at the age of fourteen and in 1740 was elected as a Snell exhibitioner at Balliol College, Oxford. Smith was apparently not impressed with the quality of instruction at Oxford, however. As he wrote years later in WN, “In the university of Oxford, the greater part of the public professors have, for these many years, given up altogether even the pretence of teaching” (WN: 761). Smith was able to make good use of the libraries at Oxford, however, studying widely in English, French, Greek, and Latin literature. He left Oxford and returned to Kirkcaldy in 1746.

In 1748, at the invitation of Henry Home Lord Kames (1696–1782), Smith began giving in Edinburgh “Lectures on Rhetoric and the Belles Lettres,” focusing on literary criticism and the arts of speaking and writing well. It was during this time that Smith met and befriended the great Scottish philosopher David Hume (1711–76), who was to become Smith’s closest confidant and greatest philosophical influence. Smith left Edinburgh to become Professor of Logic at the University of Glasgow in 1751, and then Professor of Moral Philosophy in 1752. The lectures he gave at Glasgow eventually crystallized into The Theory of Moral Sentiments, which was published to great acclaim in 1759.

In 1763 Smith resigned his post at Glasgow to become the personal tutor of Henry Scott, the Third Duke of Buccleuch, whom Smith then accompanied on an eighteen-month tour of France and Switzerland. During these travels with the young Duke, Smith met Voltaire (1694–1778), on whom Smith apparently made quite an impression: Voltaire later wrote, “This Smith is an excellent man! We have nothing to compare with him, and I am embarrassed for my dear compatriots” (Muller, 1993: 15). Smith also met François Quesnay (1694–1774), Jacques Turgot (1727–81), and others among the so-called French Physiocrats, who were arguing for a relaxation of trade barriers and generally laissez-faire economic policies. Although Smith had already been developing his own similar ideas, conversations with the Physiocrats no doubt helped him reﬁne and sharpen them. In 1767, Smith returned to Kirkcaldy to care for his ailing mother and to continue work on what would become his Wealth of Nations. During this time he was supported by a generous pension from the Duke of Buccleuch, enabling him to focus on his scholarly work. It was widely known that the celebrated author of TMS was working furiously on a new book, and the ten years he labored on it raised expectations high indeed. Finally, at long last, Smith’s magnum opus was published on March 9, 1776.

Smith remained in Kirkcaldy until 1778, when he became Commissioner of Customs in Edinburgh. During the decade or so that he spent in Kirkcaldy, and then thereafter when he was in Edinburgh, Smith spent a great deal of time visiting with and entertaining friends, among whom he counted Irish Catholic philosopher and statesman Edmund Burke (1729–97), the chemist Joseph Black (1728–99), the geologist James Hutton (1726–97), the mechanical engineer James Watt (1736–1819), Prime Minister Frederick (Lord) North (1732–92), and Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger (1759–1806). He also took active roles in learned organizations like the Oyster Club, the Poker Club, and the Select Society, the last of which included among its members William Robertson (1721–1793), David Hume, James Burnett Lord Monboddo (1714–99), Adam Ferguson (1723–1816), and Lord Kames. In 1783, Smith was a founding member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, which exists still today as Scotland’s premier national academy of science and letters. Having previously served as the University of Glasgow’s Dean of Arts (1760) and Vice-Rector (1761–63), in 1787 he was elected Lord Rector of the university, a post he held until 1789.

During his years in Edinburgh, Smith extensively revised both TMS and WN for new editions. In 1785, he wrote to Le Duc de La Rochefoucauld that “I [Smith] have likewise two other great works upon the anvil; the one is a sort of Philosophical History of all the diﬀerent branches of Literature, of Philosophy, Poetry and Eloquence; the other is a sort of theory and History of Law and Government” (Smith, 1987: 248). Neither of these projects was ever published, however. In the days before he died, Smith summoned his friends Black and Hutton to his quarters and asked that they burn his unpublished manuscripts, a request they had resisted on previous occasions. This time Smith insisted. They reluctantly complied, destroying sixteen volumes of manuscripts. It is probable that Smith’s philosophical history of literature, philosophy, poetry, and eloquence, and his theory and history of law and government were among the works that perished in that tragic loss.

Adam Smith died in Edinburgh on 17 July 1790 and is buried in the Canongate cemetery off High Street in Edinburgh.

A short overview of Smith's life and writings

From the Foundation for Economic Education, this overview of Smith was written by Richard M. Ebeling, Professor of Ethics and Free Enterprise Leadership at The Citadel.

Adam Smith Works

A project of Liberty Fund, this website includes Adam Smith's ideas, books, educational resources, and a portal that collects ongoing work. It also includes Adam Smith's famous example of "natural liberty".

Talking Adam Smith on "The World Show"

From the Foundation for Economic Education, FEE President Lawrence Reed joins host Bob Scully on Canada’s “The World Show” to focus on Adam Smith and his importance to the world as an economic thinker.

Overview of Smith’s writings and theories from the Concise Encyclopedia of Economics

The Concise Encyclopedia of Economics is found on the website of the Library of Economics and Liberty.

Overview of Smith's Moral and Political Philosophy

From the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Samuel Fleischacker, Professor of Philosophy at the University of Illinois-Chicago, provides an overview of Smith’s moral and political philosophy.

The Adam Smith Institute: The Importance of Adam Smith

The Adam Smith Institute discusses Smith’s impact and provides a link to download Eamonn Butler's Condensed Wealth of Nations, which includes a section on The Theory of Moral Sentiments.

A collection of articles examining Smith's theories through a libertarian lens

From Libertarianism.org, a resource on the theory and history of liberty.

Adam Smith: An Enlightened Life

At a CATO Book Forum, Nicholas Phillipson, author of Adam Smith: An Enlightened Life, reconstructs Smith’s intellectual ancestry and formation, of which he gives a radically new and convincing account. The event also features comments from James R. Otteson, author of Adam Smith’s Marketplace of Life.

Biography: Life of Adam Smith

From Liberty Fund’s online Library of Liberty, the classic Life of Adam Smith by John Rae is a late-19th century biography of Adam Smith based upon research undertaken at the University of Glasgow, the Council of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (the Hume Correspondence), and the University of Edinburgh.

Selection of essays by Adam Smith

From Liberty Fund’s Online Library of Liberty, a collection of key extracts by, and essays and study guides about Adam Smith.

Documentary: The Real Adam Smith

From the Free To Choose Network, In this two-hour, two-part documentary, Swedish author, commentator and Cato Senior Fellow Johan Norberg explores Adam Smith’s life, his ideas about morality and economics, and how the concepts he discussed in his books and lectures are still relevant today.

Russ Roberts: Adam Smith's Surprising Guide to Happiness

From ReasonTV, Russ Roberts sat down with Reason's Nick Gillespie to talk about Adam Smith's relevance in both economic and moral arenas, the hubris of contemporary economists and the politicians who rely on them, the transformation of work from drudgery to a form of self-actualization, and how Adam Smith just might help you live a happy life.

Russ Roberts: How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life

From the CATO Institute, author and economist Russ Roberts discusses his book How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life: An Unexpected Guide to Human Nature and Happiness. Adam Smith’s The Theory of Moral Sentiments is often neglected and Roberts argues that it’s an important and valuable guide to important parts of our lives.

The School of Life: Adam Smith

The School of Life provides a brief overview and video detailing Adam Smith’s main theories as well as Smith’s ideas about how human values can be reconciled with the needs of businesses.

Economic Ideas of Adam Smith

Richard M. Ebeling, the BB&T Distinguished Professor of Ethics and Free Enterprise Leadership at The Citadel, provides a biographical overview of the economic ideas of Smith. This article is well-written and easily understood, making it a pleasant and informative read.

Adam Smith on Public Policy

Paul Mueller, an economist at The King’s College, explores how Adam Smith’s ideas relate to contemporary public policy challenges in this four part series.

Adam Smith and Human Flourishing

Ryan P. Hanley, Mellon Distinguished Professor of Political Science at Marquette University and former president of the International Adam Smith Society, explores Smith’s teachings on the relationship between economic freedom and human flourishing. This article is part of a broader series on economic liberty and human happiness presented by the American Economic Institute.

Ludwig von Mises on Adam Smith

An introduction to a 1952 edition of The Wealth of Nations written by the 20th century economist Ludwig von Mises in defense, in critique, and in celebration of Adam Smith.

Morals in Liberal Society

Jerry Evensky, Associate Professor of Economics and Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor for Teaching Excellence at Syracuse University, delves into Smith’s Theory of Moral Sentiments to explain how morality is a key aspect of liberal societies, free peoples, and free markets.

International Adam Smith Society

The International Adam Smith Society encourages, produces, and shares research and scholarly work on Adam Smith and his thought. Beyond being a hub for academic work on Smith, they produce an annual conference dedicated to his work and sponsor The Adam Smith Review.

Adam Smith Society

A project of the Manhattan Institute, the Adam Smith Society connects students, academics, and professionals to promote Smith’s thinking about the moral, social, and economic benefits of economic freedom. Their website contains links to relevant articles, books, events, and multimedia.

Economist Podcast: Adam Smith Today

The Economist’s Anne McElvoy interviews several Smith experts, including Dr. Jesse Norman, a UK Conservative MP and author of Adam Smith: What He Thought and Why It Matters (2018) about how Adam Smith’s ideas are ever more relevant and valuable in today’s political economy.

Suggestions for further reading

From the peer-reviewed Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Jack Weinstein, Professor of Philosophy at the University of North Dakota, provides an overview of Smith’s writings and a list of suggestions for further reading. The recommendations for further reading are divided into three sections. The first features works by Smith himself, the second provides a list of suggestions for a general audience, and the third part provides a list of recommendations for specialists that seek a greater depth of knowledge.

EconTalk Podcasts

EconTalk: The Theory of Moral Sentiments

Dan Klein, of George Mason University, talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about Adam Smith's lesser-known masterpiece, The Theory of Moral Sentiments, on the 250th anniversary of its initial publication. Klein highlights key passages and concepts of the book including its relation to The Wealth of Nations, Smith's willingness to accept "vague, loose, and indeterminate" rules rather than precise ones, Smith's criteria for assessing what is moral and what is not, and Smith's conception of justice.

EconTalk: Russ Roberts and Mike Munger on How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life

EconTalk host Russ Roberts is interviewed by long-time EconTalk guest Michael Munger about Russ's new book, How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life: An Unexpected Guide to Human Nature and Happiness. Topics discussed include how economists view human motivation and consumer behavior, the role of conscience and self-interest in acts of kindness, and the costs and benefits of judging others.

EconTalk: Dennis Rasmussen on Hume and Smith and The Infidel and the Professor

Political Scientist Dennis Rasmussen of Tufts University and author of The Infidel and the Professor talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about his book--the intellectual and personal connections between two of the greatest thinkers of all time, David Hume and Adam Smith.

EconTalk: Vernon Smith and James Otteson on Adam Smith

Vernon Smith and James Otteson talk with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about Adam Smith in front of a live audience at Ball State University. Topics discussed include Smith's view of human nature, the relevance of Smith for philosophy and economics today, and the connection between Smith's two books, The Theory of Moral Sentiments and The Wealth of Nations.

EconTalk: Vernon Smith on Adam Smith and the Human Enterprise

Nobel Laureate Vernon L. Smith of Chapman University talks to EconTalk host Russ Roberts about how Adam Smith's book, The Theory of Moral Sentiments has enriched his understanding of human behavior. He contrasts Adam Smith's vision in Sentiments with the traditional neoclassical models of choice and applies Smith's insights to explain unexpected experimental results from the laboratory.

EconTalk: Otteson on Adam Smith

James Otteson of Yeshiva University talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about Adam Smith. The conversation begins with a brief sketch of David Hume and his influence on Smith and then turns to the so-called Adam Smith problem--the author of The Wealth of Nations appears to have a different take on human nature than the author of The Theory of Moral Sentiments. Smith worked on both books throughout his life, yet their perspectives seem so different. Otteson argues that the books focus on social behavior and the institutions that sustain that behavior--market transactions in The Wealth of Nations and moral behavior in The Theory of Moral Sentiments.

The Published Works of Adam Smith

Smith: An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations

From the website of the Library of Economics and Liberty, this edition of Smith’s An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations is based on Edwin Cannan’s careful 1904 compilation of Smith’s fifth edition of the book (1789), the final edition in Smith’s lifetime.

Smith: The Theory of Moral Sentiments

From the website of the Library of Economics and Liberty, Smith’s The Theory of Moral Sentiments outlines his view of proper conduct and the institutions and sentiments that make men virtuous. In this edition, the reader will find alterations to the last Chapter of the third Section of Part I; and in the four first Chapters of Part III. Part VII brings together the greater part of the different passages concerning the Stoical Philosophy, which, in the former Editions, has been scattered about in different parts of the work.

Smith: Essays on Philosophical Subjects (1869)

From Liberty Fund’s Online Library of Liberty, Smith’s Essays on Philosophical Subjects shed considerable light on his place in the Scottish Enlightenment. Included are histories of astronomy, ancient logic, and ancient physics; essays on the “imitative” arts and the affinity between music, dancing, and poetry.

Smith: Lectures on Justice, Police, Revenue and Arms (1763)

From Liberty Fund’s Online Library of Liberty, Lectures on Justice, Police, Revenue and Arms is a collection of Smith’s lectures originally delivered at the University of Glasgow from 1762–1763, which presents his “theory of the rules by which civil government ought to be directed.”

Smith: On Free Trade (1776)

From The Best of the Online Library of Liberty, a selection from Smith’s Wealth of Nations in which he defends the idea of free trade. It is in this context that he introduces his powerful notion of “the invisible hand.”

Smith: Of the Character of Virtue (1759)

From The Best of the Online Library of Liberty, this excerpt from Smith’s The Theory of Moral Sentiments discusses the nature of virtue, in particular prudence, justice, and beneficence. He notes that although they are an integral part of human nature their emergence is either stimulated or retarded by the kinds of societies in which human beings live.