Thomas Attwood

In addition to his political activities, Attwood laid claim to competence as an economist, based on his experience in banking and his observation of industrial practices in Birmingham. He focused most of his attention on the gold standard and its inhibitory effect on the growth of the economy. Long before the development of modern schools of economic theory, Attwood sought the regulation of business through control of the money supply. He was unsuccessful in his challenge to the Ricardian school, which promised stability through a gold based economy, and died disillusioned. Birmingham became identified with his brand of economic theory and a succession of economists followed his lead into the national arena. Through his study of Attwood's career and the development of his philosophy, David Moss reveals the impact of industrialism on the individual and society.

"this [book] is the result of tremendous industry ... [the] author has left no stone unturned in his quest for the "real" Attwood ... the scholarship is both sound and impeccable." David Smith, Department of History, University of Puget Sound. "the information provided ... is of first rate importance ... most of it cannot be found in any other book. On the ... politics of the 1830s, there is no work that focuses as well as this on Attwood; and the dividends for doing so are substantial." Peter Marsh, Department of History, University of Syracuse.