Popularizing Classical Economics: Henry Brougham and William Ellis (Studies in the History of Economics)

Popularizing Classical Economics analyzes the theoretical contributions of two British Economists, Henry Brougham and William Ellis, and describes how they popularized economic ideas from the early 1800s through the 1860s. Efforts to spread economic ideas to the lay public have been little studied and few individuals have been recognized for their efforts. This book traces the efforts of Brougham and Ellis to spread classical economic ideas through education of both adults and children.

While the ideas of Adam Smith and other economists were known to many intellectuals during the early 1800s, these ideas were little known or understood by the general population. A few classical economists believed that if only individuals understood the principles of economics they would more willingly accept economic change.

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A study of the lives and efforts of ecomomists Henry Brougham and William Ellis, who worked to propagate classical economic ideas through various educational enterprises. Brougham worked to educate adults through organizations such as the Mechanics' Institutes and the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. Ellis founded and financed the Birkbeck Schools to teach young children the principles of economics. Their work provides a glimpse into an era when there was intense competition to win the minds of the middle and lower classes. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Front Matter....Pages i-viii Introduction....Pages 1-6 Front Matter....Pages 7-7 Life of Henry Brougham....Pages 9-14 Early Economic Works of Henry Brougham....Pages 15-36 Brougham’s Later Economic Works....Pages 37-58 Front Matter....Pages 59-59 Life of William Ellis....Pages 61-65 Early Economic Works of Ellis....Pages 66-85 Ellis’s Later Works....Pages 86-95 Front Matter....Pages 97-97 Economic Popularizers....Pages 99-108 The Condition of Schools....Pages 109-113 Classical Economists and Education....Pages 114-121 Henry Brougham as Economic Popularizer....Pages 122-151 William Ellis as Economic Popularizer....Pages 152-177 Conclusion....Pages 178-180 Back Matter....Pages 181-224