Ricardo , David , 1772-1823 , economist

Born, 1772; son of a Jew born in Holland, who settled in England early in life and became a successful member of the stock exchange; educated in England and Holland; employed in his father's business at the age of fourteen; after his marriage, set up in business for himself and was highly successful; influenced by Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations and became interested in economics; author of a number of influential pamphlets and a leading authority on economic questions; a close friend of both Malthus and John Stuart Mill; a radical, he served as MP for Portarlington, Ireland; died, 1823.