Adam Smith's Milestones
Birth
Adam Smith was born in Kirkcaldy, Scotland, to Adam Smith Sr. and Margaret Douglas.
Father died
Smith's father died before he was born; he was raised by his mother.
Early education
Attended the Burgh School of Kirkcaldy, receiving a solid foundation in Latin, mathematics, and writing.
Attended University of Glasgow
Studied moral philosophy at the University of Glasgow under Francis Hutcheson, who greatly influenced his thinking.
Awarded Snell Exhibition
Received the Snell Exhibition scholarship to attend Oxford.
Attended Balliol College, Oxford
Attended Balliol College, Oxford, on a scholarship, studying philosophy and classics.
Returned to Kirkcaldy
Returned home and devoted time to reading, reflection, and writing.
Public lectures in Edinburgh
Delivered a series of public lectures in Edinburgh on rhetoric and belles-lettres, gaining recognition as a scholar.
Friendship with David Hume
Formed a close friendship and intellectual partnership with philosopher David Hume.
Professor at University of Glasgow
Appointed Professor of Logic, then Professor of Moral Philosophy at the University of Glasgow.
Published 'The Theory of Moral Sentiments'
Published his first major work, 'The Theory of Moral Sentiments,' establishing his reputation as a leading philosopher.
Dean of Faculty of Arts
Served as Dean of Faculty of Arts at the University of Glasgow.
Tutor to Duke of Buccleuch
Traveled throughout Europe as tutor to the young Duke of Buccleuch, meeting leading intellectuals including Voltaire and François Quesnay.
Met leading economists in France
Met and exchanged ideas with French physiocrats, including Quesnay and Turgot, influencing his economic theories.
Returned to Kirkcaldy
Returned to Kirkcaldy and worked on 'The Wealth of Nations.'
Published 'The Wealth of Nations'
Published 'An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations,' a foundational work in modern economics.
Commissioner of Customs
Appointed Commissioner of Customs in Scotland, overseeing trade and taxation.
Rector of University of Glasgow
Elected Rector of the University of Glasgow.
Death
Adam Smith died in Edinburgh, Scotland, leaving a legacy as the father of modern economics.
Posthumous recognition
Smith's works remain influential; his image appears on British currency and he is widely regarded as the father of modern economics.