This six-volume set contains the writings of the earliest pioneers of monetary theory. It contains some 28 texts, beginning with Gerard de Maynes' "A Treatise of the Canker of England's Common Wealth" (1601) and ending with Joseph Harris' "An Essay on Money and Coins" (1757/58). It contains some 28 texts, beginning with Gerard de Maynes' "A Treatise of the Canker of England's Common Wealth" (1601) and ending with Joseph Harris' "An Essay on Money and Coins" (1757/58). Many of the texts reproduced are both rare and difficult to read in their original form. Here each text has been carefully re-typeset and produced in its entirety, which should give scholars full access to this area of monetary theory. The material is organized chronologically, and begins with early mercantilist writings which explore the crucial relationship between money and trade.

Featuring original contributions from some of the leading contemporary figures in the history of economic thought, this book offers new perspectives on key topics, from Smith's Wealth of Nations to the Jevonian Revolution. Drawing inspiration from the life and work of R.D.C. Black, formerly Professor of Economics at Queen's University Belfast, this book will be of essential interest to any serious scholar of economic thought.

Contents:
Introduction Antoin E. Murphy and Renee Prendergast
Part I. R.D.C. Black - Historian of Economic Thought
1. Interview with R.D.C. Black
2. R.D.C. Black: an historiographical and methodological analysis A.W. Coats
Part II. History of Economic Thought as an Intellectual Discipline
3. History of economic thought as an intellectual discipline D.P. O'Brien
4. Reflections on the history of economic thought or 'a trip down memory lane' Bernard Corry
Part III. Perspectives on Adam Smith
5. 'A very amusing book about old times' Donald Winch
6. Adam Smith: an historical perspective on the wealth of nations Andrew S. Skinner
7. 'The Wealth of Nations' censored: early translations in Spain Pedro Schwartz
Part IV. Jevons, Gossens and Shadwell
8. The Jevonian revolution re-appraised Margaret Schabas
9. Jevons and Gossen John K. Whitaker
10. John Emilius Lancelot Shadwell on value and wages Ian Steedman
Part V. Into the Archives
11. Brotherhood at arms: the Cairnes - Leslie controversy Tadhg Foley and Tom Boylan
12. The famine, The New York Irish and their bank Cormac Ó Grada
Part VI. Abstraction and Relativity
13. The political economy of Edmund Burke Renee Prendergast
14. Menger's organic view of institutions Charles Hickson
15. Canons of monetary orthodoxy and John Law Antoin E Murphy