James Bonar
Encyclopedia
James Bonar was a Scottish civil servant, political economist and historian of economic thought. He was born in Perth
but brought up, from the age of four, in Glasgow
where his father was a Church of Scotland Minister. This clerical background extends to two uncles, both ministers who 'came out' in the disruption of 1843
, both later serving terms as Moderator
of the Free Church
General Assembly. From Glasgow Academy Bonar graduated MA in Mental Philosophy from Glasgow University in 1874. He followed the same lengthy undergraduate career that Adam Smith
pursued more than a century before gaining a Snell Exhibition to Balliol College Oxford from which he graduated with a first in 1877.
A major early influence was the moral philosopher, Edward Caird
: first as Professor at Glasgow and then as Master of Balliol. Together with his family background that influence helps explain Bonar's decision to spend the next three years teaching economics in the newly established University Extension Movement in the East End of London
. In 1881 he began a career in the civil service only retiring (to live in Hampstead) from his final position, as Deputy Manager of the Ottawa branch of the Royal mint
, in 1919 at the age of 67.
He was awarded an LLD from Glasgow University in 1887, and an honorary doctorate from Cambridge University in 1935.
Perth, Scotland
Perth is a town and former city and royal burgh in central Scotland. Located on the banks of the River Tay, it is the administrative centre of Perth and Kinross council area and the historic county town of Perthshire...
but brought up, from the age of four, in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
where his father was a Church of Scotland Minister. This clerical background extends to two uncles, both ministers who 'came out' in the disruption of 1843
Disruption of 1843
The Disruption of 1843 was a schism within the established Church of Scotland, in which 450 ministers of the Church broke away, over the issue of the Church's relationship with the State, to form the Free Church of Scotland...
, both later serving terms as Moderator
Moderator of the General Assembly
The Moderator of the General Assembly is the chairperson of a General Assembly, the highest court of a presbyterian or reformed church. Kirk Sessions and Presbyteries may also style the chairperson as moderator....
of the Free Church
Free Church of Scotland (1843-1900)
The Free Church of Scotland is a Scottish denomination which was formed in 1843 by a large withdrawal from the established Church of Scotland in a schism known as the "Disruption of 1843"...
General Assembly. From Glasgow Academy Bonar graduated MA in Mental Philosophy from Glasgow University in 1874. He followed the same lengthy undergraduate career that Adam Smith
Adam Smith
Adam Smith was a Scottish social philosopher and a pioneer of political economy. One of the key figures of the Scottish Enlightenment, Smith is the author of The Theory of Moral Sentiments and An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations...
pursued more than a century before gaining a Snell Exhibition to Balliol College Oxford from which he graduated with a first in 1877.
A major early influence was the moral philosopher, Edward Caird
Edward Caird
Edward Caird FRSE was a Scottish philosopher and younger brother of the theologian John Caird.He was the son of engineer John Caird, the proprietor of Caird & Company,...
: first as Professor at Glasgow and then as Master of Balliol. Together with his family background that influence helps explain Bonar's decision to spend the next three years teaching economics in the newly established University Extension Movement in the East End of London
East End of London
The East End of London, also known simply as the East End, is the area of London, England, United Kingdom, east of the medieval walled City of London and north of the River Thames. Although not defined by universally accepted formal boundaries, the River Lea can be considered another boundary...
. In 1881 he began a career in the civil service only retiring (to live in Hampstead) from his final position, as Deputy Manager of the Ottawa branch of the Royal mint
Royal Mint
The Royal Mint is the body permitted to manufacture, or mint, coins in the United Kingdom. The Mint originated over 1,100 years ago, but since 2009 it operates as Royal Mint Ltd, a company which has an exclusive contract with HM Treasury to supply all coinage for the UK...
, in 1919 at the age of 67.
He was awarded an LLD from Glasgow University in 1887, and an honorary doctorate from Cambridge University in 1935.
Major publications
- Parson Malthus, 1881.
- Malthus and his Work, 1885.
- Letters of David Ricardo to Thomas Robert Malthus: 1810 – 1823 (ed.), 1887.
- "Austrian economists and their view of value", 1888, QJE
- Philosophy and Political Economy, 1893 (4th ed. 1927)
- Catalogue of Adam Smith's Library, 1894.
- Letters of David Ricardo to Hutches Trower and Others: 1811 – 1823 (with J.H. Hollander), 1899.
- Disturbing Elements in the Study and Teaching of Political Economy, 1911.
- "Knapp's theory of money", 1922, EJ
- "Memories of F.Y. Edgeworth", 1926, EJ
- The Tables Turned. A Lecture and Dialogue on Adam Smith and the Classical Economists, 1926.
- "Ricardo on Malthus", 1929, EJ
- Theories of Population from Raleigh to Arthur Young, 1931