George Whatley Explained

George Whatley (died 1791) was an English lawyer, a friend and correspondent of Benjamin Franklin. He was also Vice President (1772–1779) and Treasurer (1779–1791) of the Foundling Hospital in London.^[1]

Whatley was the author of Principles of Trade, published in 1774, which expounded the benefits of laissez faire economics, allied to free trade. Some sources claim Franklin co-authored the book with Whatley, while Franklin gives full credit to Whatley.^[2] Jared Sparks in The Works of Benjamin Franklin 1840, credits Franklin for the notes: these are in the view of noted economist Jacob Viner, superior to the text.^[3]

Whatley's portrait by an unknown painter is part of the Foundling Hospital art collection, at the Foundling Museum.^[4]

Notes and References

1. Benedict Nicolson, "The Treasures of the Foundling Hospital," Clarendon Press, 1972, p. 60.
2. Book: The Writings of Benjamin Franklin. 137 . Macmillan . Franklin. Benjamin. 1905.
3. Jacob Viner . Early English Theories of Trade . 1930 . Journal of Political Economy . 404–57, footnote 97 for chapter 2. 10.1086/254122. 153464126 .
4. Nicolson, Treasures of the Foundling Hospital, p. 60.