Adam Smith

 
 

Student, scholar, and rector at the University of Glasgow. 

 
 

Join us in learning about his life, ideas, and relevance to the 21st century.

Logo of Adam Smith 300 with a graphic outline of his face, surrounded by the words 'Adam Smith, 1723, 2023, 300 year anniversary' Life, work and legacy

Life, work and legacy

About Adam Smith's life and his time at Glasgow University. Explore his influential works and learn about his legacy.

A graphic portrait of Adam Smith and a quote from him saying 'Every man is rich or poor according to the degree in which he can afford to enjoy the necessaries, conveniences s and amusements of human life.' The Wealth of Nations

The Wealth of Nations

What did Adam Smith say in his most famous book? Learn more about The Wealth of Nations and his other important writings.

A label with the text ' ADAM SMITH' pasted into the blue and red marbled inside cover of a book

Smith and Glasgow today

The University of Glasgow is a major centre for the study of Adam Smith and the Scottish Enlightenment, and holds many significant artefacts connected with Smith.

image of Adam Smith's handwriting

Smith as scholar

How does Smith help us understand society and the world around us?

Memorial Gate with Adam Smith text

Smith as educator

How does Smith educate people to live virtuous lives in a modern commercial society?

Adam Smith's statue with only his head. Source: Adam Smith business school

Smith as citizen

How can Smith's writings help us think about today's global challenges?

Dr Glory Liu, Lecturer on Social Studies at Harvard University speaking about Adam Smith. The speech captions read 'this year to celebrate not just he publication' She is standing next to a portrait of Adam Smith and a sign saying 'Adam Smith: Collections' 300 years of Adam Smith

300 years of Adam Smith

On the tercentenary of Adam Smith's birth, the University of Glasgow helped people around the world explore his thinking and his legacy.

Promoting an informed understanding of Smith and his approach to morality and markets is at the heart of Adam Smith 300.

We inspired an on-going discussion about Adam Smith, his world-changing ideas and their relevance to the problems of the 21st century.

the text Adam Smith Business School on a background of tartan cloth with blue, green, white and red

Interested in economics, business and society?

The Adam Smith Business School develops enlightened, engaged and enterprising graduates, who are internationally recognised and make a positive impact on culture and society.

A photo of buildings at Glasgow University and the text 'School of Social & Political Sciences'

Address the key social and political challenges of our time.

The School of Social and Political Sciences brings together research, innovation and education in economic and social history, Central and Eastern European studies, politics, international relations, sociology and urban studies.