author
John Rae
1845–1915
Best known for a landmark 1895 life of Adam Smith, this Scottish journalist and biographer helped shape how later readers understood one of economics' most influential thinkers. He also wrote widely on social and political questions, bringing a reporter's eye to big public debates.
4 Audiobooks
Contemporary Socialism
by John Rae
Life of Adam Smith
by John Rae
Grasshopper Green and the Meadow Mice
by John Rae
About the author
John Rae was a Scottish journalist, editor, and biographer active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was a longtime editor of The Contemporary Review and also contributed to The British Quarterly Review, building a reputation as a clear, informed writer on public affairs.
He is best remembered for Life of Adam Smith (1895), a biography that drew on substantial research and became a standard reference on Smith for many years. Rae also wrote books on social and economic issues, including Contemporary Socialism and Eight Hours for Work, showing a strong interest in the political questions of his day.
For listeners drawn to thoughtful nonfiction, Rae stands out as a writer who combined journalistic energy with careful historical work. His books reflect both curiosity and seriousness, especially when he turns complex ideas and public controversies into readable narrative.