Adam Smith

A fresh, scholarly portrait brings the young Adam Smith to life, tracing his modest beginnings in the bustling Scottish town of Kirkcaldy. The narrative paints a vivid picture of his family’s civic standing, his father’s early death, and his mother’s steadfast devotion, while also recalling the town’s vibrant mix of colliers, fishermen, and smugglers that formed his early backdrop. From a childhood rescue in the woods to his first forays into Latin on a school‑book fly‑leaf, the story shows how a precocious memory and a passion for reading set him apart among his peers.

Drawing on newly unearthed lecture notes and the insights of earlier biographers, the author weaves together the influences of teachers, friends, and the local community that shaped Smith’s developing mind. Listeners will discover how his formative friendships and the moral dramas of his school days hinted at the ideas that would later revolutionise economics and moral philosophy, offering a compelling glimpse into the making of a thinker whose impact still echoes today.