Adam Smith (1723–1790) was a Scottish economist, philosopher, and key figure of the Scottish Enlightenment, widely regarded as the "Father of Economics" and "Father of Capitalism." Educated at the University of Glasgow and Balliol College, Oxford, he became a professor of moral philosophy before publishing his groundbreaking works. His first major book, The Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759), explored human ethics, sympathy, and social behavior, while his most influential work, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations (1776), laid the foundations of modern economic thought by introducing concepts such as the division of labor, free markets, and the "invisible hand." Smith's ideas profoundly shaped economic policy and philosophy, making him one of the most influential thinkers in history.