Adam Smith (1723-1790) was a Scottish economist and philosopher, considered the "father of modern economics" and capitalism, famous for The Wealth of Nations (1776), which introduced concepts like the invisible hand and division of labor, advocating for free markets but also recognizing roles for government in public works, education, and justice. He was a key figure in the Scottish Enlightenment, exploring morality, jurisprudence, and political economy, and his ideas championed self-interest be