Who wrote 'An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations'?

"An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations", usually called "The Wealth of Nations", was written by the Scottish economist and philosopher Adam Smith and published on 9 March 1776.

About the book:

• It is regarded as the first modern work of economics, and Adam Smith is called the "Father of Economics" (or the father of modern economics and of capitalism).
• Smith argued that a nation's wealth comes from its labour and production, not from collecting gold and silver, as the mercantilist thinkers believed.
• He explained the "division of labour" using the example of a pin factory, showing how dividing work into small tasks greatly increases productivity.
• He introduced the idea of the "invisible hand": when individuals pursue their own self-interest in a free market, they are led, as if by an invisible hand, to promote the good of society.
• He supported free trade and limited government interference in the economy (laissez-faire), while accepting a role for the state in defence, justice and public works.

About Adam Smith (1723-1790):

• He was born in Kirkcaldy, Scotland, and was a professor at the University of Glasgow.
• His earlier book, "The Theory of Moral Sentiments" (1759), dealt with ethics and human sympathy.
• He was a leading figure of the Scottish Enlightenment.
• His portrait appeared on the Bank of England's £20 note from 2007 to 2020.

Other important economists and their works:

• David Ricardo: "On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation" (1817); theory of comparative advantage.
• Thomas Malthus: "An Essay on the Principle of Population" (1798).
• Karl Marx: "Das Kapital" (1867).
• John Maynard Keynes: "The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money" (1936).
• Alfred Marshall: "Principles of Economics" (1890).

Why not the other options?

• ✗David Ricardo developed the theory of comparative advantage.
• ✗John Maynard Keynes wrote "The General Theory".
• ✗Karl Marx wrote "Das Kapital".