Adam Smith, the great economist and moral philosopher, was born
in Kirkcaldy in 1723. He was educated at the Burgh School in the
town before going to the University of Glasgow in 1737. He was
one of the leading figures of the Scottish Enlightenment. These
leather bound volumes, 'An Inquiry into the Wealth of Nations'
were first published in March 1776 and are widely regarded as
the most important work on economics. They have been translated
into many languages throughout the world. Adam Smith returned
to live in Kirkcaldy between 1766 and 1778. During this period
he lived in a house in Kirkcaldy's High Street with his mother.
This is where he wrote 'The Wealth of Nations'.
He
was Professor of Logic in 1751 and Moral Philosophy 1752-1764
at the University of Glasgow. Students came from all over Europe
to hear his lectures and visitors still come to University of
Glasgow to see where he taught. His name appears on the centenary
gates of the University and the social sciences building is named
after him
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