Father of Modern Economics:

Adam Smith 

Main Life Accomplishments:

Adam Smith is widely cited as the father of modern economics.

Adam Smith is known for his explanation of how rational self-interest and competition, operating in a social framework depending on adherence to moral obligations, can lead to economic prosperity and well-being. His invisible hand metaphor, which he used to describe this process, has gained widespread use in the discussion of free markets. Smith's work helped create the modern academic discipline of economics and provided one of the best-known rationales for free trade.

 

Basics:

Born:  June 5, 1723 Kirkcaldy, Scotland

Died:  July 17, 1790 Edinburgh, Scotland

Nationality:  Scottish

Religion:  Deist

Fields:  Philosophy

Main Accomplishments:  Famous Scottish economist and founder of modern classical school of economic thought.

 

Chronology of Life Events:

Jun 5, 1723

Adam Smith born in Kirkcaldy, Scotland, the posthumous son of Adam Smith (former Private Secretary to the Principal Secretary of State for Scotland and Controller of the Customs at Kirkcaldy) and his wife Margaret Douglas.

Death of architect Sir Christopher Wren

 

1726

Adam Smith kidnapped by tinkers but recovered by his uncle

 

1727

Physicist Sir Isaac Newton dies

 

1729

Edmund Burke, scholar and father of modern conservatism, is born

 

1730

John and Charles Wesley found the Methodists

 

1732

Covent Garden Opera is founded

 

1733

John Kay invents the Flying Shuttle

 

1737

Adam Smith enters Glasgow University, studying moral philosophy under Professor Francis Hutcheson

 

1740

Adam Smith Enters Balliol College, Oxford as Snell Exhibitioner

 

1746

Adam Smith leaves Oxford and returns to Kirkcaldy

 

1748

Adam Smith is invited to lecture on belle-lettres and jurisprudence in Edinburgh under Lord Kames

 

1751

Adam Smith is elected Professor of Logic at Glasgow University

 

1752

Adam Smith transfers to the Chair of Logic and Rhetoric at Glasgow University

 

1764

Adam Smith leaves Glasgow to become tutor to the young Duke of Buccleuch on the Grand Tour of Europe, where he meets Voltaire, Franklin, Quesnay and other prominent intellectuals

 

1766

Adam Smith returns from the Grand Tour, is elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, and begins work on The Wealth of Nations

 

1767

Adam Ferguson publishes Essay on the History of Civil Society, the precursor of modern social science

 

1776

Adam Smith moves to London and meets Enlightenment figures such as Reynolds, Garrick and Johnson

 

1778

Adam Smith is appointed Commissioner of Customs for Scotland and moves back to Edinburgh to live with his mother

 

1783

Smith becomes a founding member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh

 

1790

Adam Smith dies after a painful illness, and is buried in the Canongate cemetery in Edinburgh’s Royal Mile

 

Early Life:

Adam Smith was born to Margaret Douglas at Kirkcaldy, Scotland. His father, also named Adam Smith, was a lawyer, civil servant, and widower who married Margaret Douglas in 1720. His father died six months before Smith's birth.[3] The exact date of Smith's birth is unknown; however, his baptism was recorded on June 16, 1723 at Kirkcaldy.[4] Though few events in Smith's early childhood are known, Scottish journalist and biographer of Smith John Rae recorded that Smith was abducted by gypsies at the age of four and eventually released when others went to rescue him.

Smith was particularly close to his mother, and it was likely she who encouraged him to pursue his scholarly ambitions.[5] Smith attended the Burgh School of Kirkcaldy from 1729 to 1737, and there studied Latin, mathematics, history, and writing.[5] Rae characterized the Burgh School as "one of the best secondary schools of Scotland at that period".
 

Father Background:

Smith's father had a strong interest in Christianity[47] and belonged to the moderate wing of the Church of Scotland (the national church of Scotland since 1690). Smith may have gone to England with the intention of a career in the Church of England: this is controversial and depends on the status of the Snell Exhibition. At Oxford, Smith rejected Christianity and it is generally believed that he returned to Scotland as a Deist.
He had been comptroller of customs there until his death more than five months before.

 

His father had died before he was born and he was raised by his widowed mother.

 

Mother Background:

Margaret Douglas (d. 23-May-1784), came from a family of substantial landowners.

 

She was convincing, acted well, and presented the audience with things they may not have known about. She could have been portrayed more accurately if the script made more of her deeply religious views, which may have given young Adam a chance to avoid upsetting her with presenting his real views on religion (shared in his social-hours with David Hume and his academic colleagues, but not overtly in his books and not in conversations with his mother.

 

 

 
 
SuperAttainer

ANALYSIS SECTION:

 
 
1. Early Success
 

When did the SuperAttainer first display ability that was greatly above average and what were his accomplishments? 
 

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2. Contrarian

 
What actions did the SuperAttainer take that demonstrated a mindset that was very different from those around him?
 

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3. Conceited
 
What are the actions and documented statements that exhibit an elevated sense of self importance of the SuperAttainer? 
 
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4. Hard-Knocked 
 
During what events did the SuperAttainer experience personal misery and severe anxiety?
  

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5. Loner
 
Is there evidence of the SuperAttainer being comfortable spending time apart from others? 
 

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6. Mentored & Motivated
 
Who was vital to developing the SuperAttainer and guiding his career and what significant actions were taken?
 

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7. Discontent
 
What evidence is there that the SuperAttainer was unsatisfied with even great personal accomplishment?
 

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8. Promoted
 
What actions or events were responsible for publicizing the tremendous achievements and abilities of the SuperAttainer?
 

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Overall Score:

x out of 8 = xx% 

PASS

SuperAttainer Type:

Describe the factors in the SuperAttainer’s background to indicate whether he is a Come-From-Nothing or Aristocratic type..

Conclusion:

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