Celebrating 250 Years of the Wealth of Nations
In 2026, we celebrate the anniversary of Adam Smith’s An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, first published in 1776.
Written over the course of a decade, many of the ideas in his book were developed during his time when professor at the University of Glasgow and appear in his lecture notes from teaching here.
Made up of 5 ‘books’ over 1000 pages, the Wealth of Nation is a weighty tome that at the time presenting a particular way of understanding and thinking about what wealth is, how wealth is accumulated and why some countries become more wealthy than others.
In this video, Professor Craig Smith from the University of Glasgow takes a deeper look into Adam Smith’s landmark second publication, exploring the book’s five big ideas, including the division of labour and the invisible hand.
Adam Smith was a Scottish philosopher and economist from Kirkcaldy in Fife.
Smith was a student, professor and rector at the University of Glasgow, and our business school proudly takes its name from our most famous alumnus.
Themes
Our celebrations for 2026 invite you to think though the Wealth of Nations via three themes that hold as much relevance for contemporary society as they did during Smith’s lifetime.
The Nature of Wealth
One of Smith’s most revolutionary contributions is arguing for a radically different way of conceptualisation what Wealth is.
The Causes of Wealth
Smith rebuilds a new theory of wealth grounded in the division of labour expanding markets, and the freedom of individuals to exchange, specialise, and innovate.
The Politics of Wealth
Central to Smith’s work is what we might call a ‘politics of wealth’ – how political power, national policy, and historical institutions shape the distribution and growth of economic and social resources.
Events
1776/2026 & IASS Conference: Call for Papers
(17-20th June 2026 - University of Glasgow, Scotland)
More information coming soon
Understanding Prosperity and Development in the Modern World
(8-9th October 2026 - University of Glasgow, Scotland)
Understanding Prosperity and Development in the Modern World
Student Day: Celebrating 250 Years of The Wealth of Nations
(9th June 2026 - Glasgow University Union, Scotland)
