Smith, Adam: - "Adam Smith (baptized June 16, 1723 - July 17, 1790) was a Scottish economist and philosopher known as a founding figure in political economy. His works, The Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759) and The Wealth of Nations (1776), laid the groundwork for modern economic thought. Smith's ideas remain central to discussions on capitalism and moral philosophy.Smith studied at the University of Glasgow and Oxford before giving influential public lectures in Edinburgh, where he formed a close association with philosopher David Hume. He went on to teach moral philosophy at Glasgow, publishing The Theory of Moral Sentiments. Later, he traveled across Europe as a tutor, gaining exposure to leading intellectual circles.In The Wealth of Nations, Smith introduced revolutionary ideas like the division of labor and the "invisible hand" of the market. He argued that individual self-interest could drive public prosperity, challenging the dominant mercantilist policies of his time. This work positioned Smith as a foundational thinker in the development of free-market economics."