Economic history played a much larger role in the education of economists at the turn of the twentieth century than it does now. Course reading lists from the earlier time are relatively rare, it appears that assignments were written on the blackboard as part of lectures. Nonetheless, from printed bibliographies we do get a sense of the scale and scope of the literature advanced students would have been exposed to.
In 1910 Harvard published 43 short bibliographies covering “Social Ethics and Allied Subjects”, about half of which were dedicated to particular topics in economics and economic sociology. The project was coordinated by Plummer Professor of Christian Morals, Francis G. Peabody.
Economic History is the “allied subject” covered in the bibliography provided by Professor Edwin F. Gay and transcribed below. Economics in the Rear-view Mirror has added links to digital copies of all but one of the ca. 90 items listed by Gay!
UPDATE (July 16, 2023). Friend of Economics in the Rear-View Mirror, Thea Don-Siemion (Twitter: @StationryBandit), suggested a comparison with A bibliography of historical economics to 1980 by D. N. McCloskey and G.K. Harsh (Cambridge University Press, 1990). The book can be borrowed online, an hour at a time, at archive.org by registered users. To think there is still a residual gap of over forty years already!
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Previously posted Harvard short bibliographies
I.2. Economic Theory by Taussig, 1910
I.7. Social Statistics by Ripley, 1910
II.3. Taxation by Bullock, 1910
IV.5 Economics of Socialism by Carver, 1910
IV.6 Socialism and Family/Christian Ethics by McConnell, 1910
IV.7. Trade Unionism by Ripley, 1910
IV.8. Strikes and Boycotts by Ripley, 1910
IV.12 Thrift Institutions by Oliver M. W. Sprague.
IV.13. Social Insurance by Foerster, 1910
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Economic History
Edwin F. Gay
The reader interested in economic history must gather his information from many books, for the most part dealing with special phases of the subject and limited as to period and country, rather than from comprehensive manuals or surveys. Since economic history is but a portion or aspect of general history, isolating for convenience of study the organized efforts of mankind to satisfy its material needs, works on political and constitutional history must be used, though they vary greatly in the degree of emphasis placed upon the economic factors. Indeed, for the student who cannot read German and French, such general histories must often be his sole reliance. This is particularly true of the economic history of Greece and Rome and of large parts of the mediæval and modern economic history of other than English speaking countries. This brief list cannot include general histories, but it must necessarily comprise some of the more important German and French contributions to economic history.
The economic history of England must hold first place in such a list, and therefore the books in that field are given the larger amount of space. Then follow some of the more important works relating to the continent of Europe and to the United States.
Cunningham, W. An essay on western civilization in its economic aspects. [Cambridge Historical Series.] Volume I, ancient times; Volume II, mediæval and modern times. Cambridge, University Press, 1898-1900, pp. xii, 220; xii, 300.
A good general introduction to economic history.
Bücher, Karl. Die Entstehung der Volkswirtschaft. 1 Aufl., 1893; 7 Aufl., ibid., 1910. Tübingen: H. Laupp, vii, 464 S.
Bücher, Karl. Industrial evolution. Translated from the third German edition [of the above] by S. M. Wickett. New York: Henry Holt & Co., 1901, pp. xiv, 393.
A series of suggestive essays, illuminating the development of industrial organization. The book has exerted a marked influence.
Day, Clive. A history of commerce. New York: Longmans, Green & Co., 1907, pp. xliv, 626.
The best brief manual; well proportioned and with a good background of economic history; it has a useful bibliography.
Lindsay, W. S. History of merchant shipping and ancient commerce. 4 vols. London: Sampson, Low & Co., 1874-76. [Volume I, Volume II, Volume III, Volume IV]
An older standard work in this field; more exhaustive than any of its successors. The last two volumes (1816-74) were reprinted separately in 1876.
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Cunningham, W. The growth of English industry and commerce, . Volume I, Early and middle ages, fourth edition, 1905; [:] Modern times, Volume II [, The Mercantile System] and [Volume] III [Laissez Faire], fourth edition, 1907. Cambridge: University Press.
This work, constantly improved in the successive editions since the first in 1882, is of importance as a book of reference for English economic history, and should be used, if possible, in preference to the smaller but still commendable manuals on the subject, such as those by Cunningham and McArthur, Gibbins, Warner or Cheyney. Each volume has a helpful bibliography.
Ashley, W. J. An introduction to English economic history and theory. Part 1, The middle ages; Part 2, The end of the middle ages. Third edition. New York: Longmans, Green & Co., 1894-98, pp. xii, 227; xii, 501.
A scholarly and readable work.
Traill, H. D., editor. Social England: a record of the progress of the people in religion, laws, learning, arts, industry, commerce, science, literature and manners. By various writers. 6 vols., New York: George Putnam’s Sons, 1893-97 [Volume I, From the earliest times to the accession of Edward I (1895); Volume II, From the accession of Edward I to the death of Henry VII (1894); Volume III, From the accession of Henry VIII to the death of Elizabeth (1896); Volume IV, From the accession of James I to the death of Anne (1895); Volume V, From the accession of George I to the Battle of Waterloo (1896); Volume VI, From the Battle of Waterloo to the General Election of 1885 (1898)]; new edition [illustrated], Traill, H. D., and Mann, J. S., editors, 6 vols., New York: George Putnam’s Sons, 1901-4. [Volume I (1901); Volume II (1902); Volume III(1902); Volume IV (1903); Volume V (1904); Volume VI (1904)]
A poorly edited though useful book; the contributions of Prothero, Maitland, Powell and others more than counterbalance the less scholarly contributions. Brief bibliographical notes accompany each chapter.
Seebohm, Frederic. The English village community. New York: Longmans, Green & Co., 1883, pp. 464.
A stimulating pioneer book. Its conclusions are controverted by Vinogradoff and Maitland.
Vinogradoff, Paul. Villainage in England; essays in English mediæval history. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1892, pp. xii, 464.
Vinogradoff, Paul. The growth of the manor. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1892, pp. 384.
These, with the same author’s “English Society in the Eleventh Century” (1908), are not easy reading, but indispensable for an understanding of earlier social history and manorial institutions.
Maitland, Frederic W. Domesday book and beyond: Three essays in the early history of England. Cambridge: University Press (Boston: Little, Brown & Co.), 1897, pp. xiii, 527.
The best starting point for the study of the vexed problems of social agrarian history presented by Domesday book.
Page, T. W. The end of villainage in England. Publications of the American Economic Association. New York: The Macmillan Company, third series, Volume I, No. 2, May, 1900, pp. 99.
A valuable contribution to the discussion of an important question.
Gross, Charles. The gild merchant. 2 vols. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1890, pp. xxii, 332; xi, 447. [Volume I;Volume II]
The author’s chief interest in this book is in the development of the municipal constitution, but his investigations are of fundamental importance for a knowledge of the beginnings of mercantile associations in England. The book has a carefully prepared bibliography.
Rogers, J. E. Thorold. Six centuries of work and wages; the history of English labor. 1 vol. in 2 parts. London: Swan, Sonnenschein & Co. (G. P. Putnam’s Sons), 1884, pp. 591.
A summary of conclusions based upon his monumental “History of agriculture and prices in England” (7 vols., 1866-1902) [Volume I, 1259-1400; Volume II, 1259-1400; Volume III, 1401-1582; Volume IV, 1401-1582; Volume V, 1583-1702; Volume VI, 1583-1702; Volume VII, 1703-1793, Part I; Volume VII, 1703-1793, Part II], the most considerable collection of prices available for any country; but both his price averages and views must be accepted with caution. Eight selected chapters of this work have been reprinted (London, 1895, Social Science Series).
Unwin, George. Industrial organization in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1904, pp. vii, 277.
A well-written attempt to prove the continuity of labor organizations from the medieval craft gild to the modern trade union. For a different opinion see the Webbs’ “History of trade unionism,” second edition, 1907.
Schanz, Georg. Englische Handelspolitik gegen Ende des Mittelalters. 2 Bde. Leipzig: Duncker und Humblot, 1881, xix, 684; xiii, 672 S. [Volume I; Volume II]
The best account of English commercial policy and commercial institutions under Henry VII and Henry VIII. The second volume consists largely of documentary materials.
Ehrenberg, Richard. Hamburg und England im Zeitalter der Königin Elizabeth. Jena: Gustav Fischer, 1896, 362 S.
A valuable study of the commercial struggle between England and the Hansa towns under Elizabeth.
Hewins, W. A. S. English trade and finance chiefly in the seventeenth century. London: Methuen (University Extension Series), 1892, pp. 174.
This work treats concisely and interestingly of the chief commercial companies and labor organizations of the seventeenth century and of three important commercial treaties of the eighteenth century.
An account of the English commercial companies is given in Cawston and Keane’s “The early chartered companies, 1296-1858” (London: Edward Arnold, 1896, pp. 329), a compilation from material which is found in Macpherson’s “Annals of commerce” (London, 1805, 4 vols.) [Volume I; Volume II; Volume III; Volume IV]. For further account of the commercial companies, especially the Continental, consult Bonnassieux, “Les grandes compagnies de commerce” (Paris: Plon, Nourrit et Cie., 1892, pp. 562).
Hunter, William W. History of British India. London: Longmans, Green & Co., 1899-1900. 2 vols. [Volume I,To the overthrow of the English in the Spice Archipelago; Volume II, To the union of the old and new companies under the Earl of Godolphin’s award] [Completed by P. E. Roberts owing to the author’s death.]
A readable and reliable history of the English India Company.
Andréadès, A. Histoire de la Banque d’Angleterre: ses origines, sa fondation, son developpement, etc. 2 vols. in 1. Paris: Rousseau, 1904, pp. 455. Translated by Christabel Meredith. London: P. S. King & Son, 1909. [Essai sur la foundation et l’histoire de la Banque d’Angleterre (1694-1844), Paris: Rousseau, 1901]
A competent study; it contains an extensive bibliography.
Prothero, R. E. Pioneers and progress of English farming. London: Longmans, Green & Co., 1888, pp. 290.
A brief and picturesque account of the history of English agriculture.
Johnson, A. H. Disappearance of the small landholder. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1909, pp. 164.
The most recent and in many respects most useful discussion of the subject. W. Hasbach’s “Die englischen Landarbeiter.” (Leipzig, 1894. English translation by Ruth Kenyon, with preface by Sidney Webb. London: P. S. King & Son, 1908, pp. 470, with bibliography), deals with another aspect, the history of agricultural labor.
Toynbee, Arnold. Lectures on the industrial revolution of the eighteenth century in England. Fourth edition, London, 1894, pp. 319 (with a memoir by B. Jowett). New edition, New York: Longmans, Green & Co., 1908 (with reminiscences by Lord Milner), pp. 282.
Suggestive lectures originally addressed to workingmen.
Mantoux, Paul. La Révolution industrielle au xviiie siècle. Paris: G. Bellair, 1906, pp. 543.
An excellent description (with good bibliography) of the industrial revolution in England, with, however, no adequate study of the causes and economic significance of the movement. The reader may find some assistance on this side from Hobson, “Evolution of modern capitalism” (London, 1896).
Macrosty, H. W. Trusts and the state. New York: E. P. Dutton & Co. (London: Grant Richards), 1901, pp. 318.
A well-informed historical treatment of the subject.
Webb, Sidney and Beatrice. History of trade unionism. New edition. New York: Longmans, Green & Co., 1907, pp. xxxiv, 558.
The best book on the subject.
Hutchins, B. L., and Harrison, A. History of factory legislation. Preface by Sidney Webb. London: P. S. King & Son, 1903, pp. xviii, 372.
Complete and reliable. Extensive bibliography.
Armitage-Smith, George. The free trade movement and its results. Chicago: Herbert S. Stone & Co., 1898, pp. 244.
An historical study written from the standpoint of a free trader.
Bowley, A. L. England’s foreign trade in the nineteenth century. Revised edition, 1905. London: Swan, Sonnenschein & Co., 1893, pp. 165.
A brief but valuable statistical discussion.
Ashley, W. J., editor. British industries. Second edition. New York: Longmans, Green & Co., 1907, pp. xvii, 232.
Eight lectures, each by an expert in his field.
Nicholls, George. History of the English poor law. 2 vols. [Volume I; Volume II] London: 1854. New edition with revision by the author, a biography by H. G. Willink, and a supplementary volume [III] by Thomas Mackay; 3 vols. [Volume I, A.D. 924 to 1714; Volume II, A.D. 1714 to 1853; Volume III, A.D. 1834 to the present time] London: P. S. King & Son, 1898–9.
The standard work on the subject.
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Lamprecht, Karl. Deutsches Wirtschaftsleben in Mittelalter. 3 Tle. in 4 Bdn. Leipzig: Dürr, 1885-86. [Volume I.1; Volume I.2; Volume II, Statistisches Material und Quellenkunde; Volume III, Quellensammlung]
An important work. Though based on a documentary study of economic conditions only in the Moselle valley for the period ending in the early sixteenth century, it nevertheless deserves its wider title. The same author’s “Deutsche Geschichte” emphasizes—perhaps over-emphasizes—the economic and social aspects of German history.
[Volume I, Urzeit und Mittelalter (Books 1-4);
Volume II, Urzeit und Mittelalter (Books 5-7);
Volume 3, Urzeit und Mittelalter (Books 8-10);
Volume 4, Urzeit und Mittelalter (Books 11-13);
Volume 5.1, Neuere Zeit (Books 14-15);
Volume 5.2, Neuere Zeit (Books 15-16);
Volume 6, Neuere Zeit (Books 17-18);
Volume 7.1, Neuere Zeit (Books 19-20);
Volume 7.2, Neuere Zeit (Book 21);
Volume 8, Neueste Zeit (Book 22);
Volume 9, Neueste Zeit (Book 23);
Volume 10, Neueste Zeit (Book 24);
Volume 11, Neueste Zeit (Book 25);
Volume 12, Anhang, Bibliographie, Register
Ergänzungsband I, Tonkunst—Bildende Kunst—Dichtung–Weltanschauung;
Ergänzungsband II.1, Wirtschaftsleben—Soziale Entwicklung];
Ergänzungsband II.2, Innere Politik—Äußere Politik]
Von Inama-Sternegg, K. T. Deutsche Wirtschaftsgeschichte. 3 Tle. in 4 Bdn. Leipzig: Duncker und Humblot, 1879-1901
[Volume I, bis zum Schluss der Karolingerperiode; Volume II, des 10. Bis 12. Jahrhunderts; Volume III, in den letzten Jahrhunderten des Mittelalters (1. Teil); Volume III, in den letzten Jahrhunderten des Mittelalters (2. Teil)]
Covers the period to the end of the middle ages. The only general work on the subject.
Pigeonneau, H. Histoire du commerce de la France. 2 vol. 2e édition. [Volume I; Volume II] Paris: Cerf, 1887-88.
A standard work, covering the period ending with the age of Richelieu.
Heyd, W. Geschichte des Levantehandels im Mittelalter. 2 Bde. [Volume I; Volume II] Stuttgart: Cotta, 1879, 604, 781 S.
The French translation (Histoire du commerce du Levant au moyen-âge. 2 vols. [Volume I; Volume II] Leipzig: 1885-86, revised by the author) is preferable to the German original.
Levasseur, É. Histoire des classes ouvrières et de l’industrie en France avant 1789. 2 vol. [Volume 1; Volume 2] 2e édition. Paris: Rousseau, 1900-01.
Levasseur, É. Histoire des classes ouvrières et de l’industrie en France de 1789 à 1870. 2 vol. [Volume 1; Volume 2] 2e édition. Paris: Rousseau, 1903.
Levasseur, É. Questions ouvrières et industrielles en France sous la troisième république. Paris: Rousseau, 1907, pp. xxii, 968.
These three works together form the most available general survey not only of the history of the French working classes but of French economic history.
Sée, H. Les classes rurales et le régime domanial en France au moyen-âge. Paris: Giard et Brière, 1901, pp. xxvii, 638.
A convenient survey of French agrarian conditions in the middle ages, with bibliography.
Fuchs, [Carl Johannes]. Die Epochen der deutschen Agrargeschichte und Agrarpolitik. Jena: Gustav Fischer, 1898, ii, 32 S. [Beilage zur Allgemeinen Zeitung No 70 und 71 vom 29. und 30. März 1898]
An admirable summary of the results of recent investigation in German agrarian history.
Ehrenberg, R. Das Zeitalter der Fugger. 2 Bde. [Volume I; Volume II] Jena: Gustav Fischer, 1896, xv, 420; iv, 367 S.
A noteworthy contribution to the financial and commercial history of the sixteenth century.
Wiebe, G. Zur Geschichte der Preisrevolution des 16ten und 17ten Jahrhunderts. Leipzig: Duncker und Humblot, 1895, ix, 419 S.
The best study of the subject, clear and critical.
Schmoller, G. Das Merkantilsystem in seiner historischer Bedeutung. A chapter from his “Studien über die wirtschaftliche Politik Friedrichs des Grossen” (1884) [Jahrbuch für Gesetzgebung, Verwaltung und Volkswirtschaft im Deutschen Reich Band 8, S. 1-62] and reprinted in the Umrisse und Untersuchungen. Leipzig: Duncker und Humblot, 1898, pp. 1-60. English translation by W. J. Ashley: The mercantile system. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1896, pp. viii, 95.
Gives an understanding of the significance of the commercial and political policies of the period when the mercantile system prevailed. For the history of mercantilist doctrine, the English reader may consult J. K. Ingram’s “History of political economy.” New York: The Macmillan Company, 1888, pp. xv, 250. Second edition (unaltered), 1907. More recent books are available in French and German.
Sargent, A. J. Economic policy of Colbert. New York: Longmans, Green & Co., 1899, pp. vii, 138.
A judicious and concise survey of Colbert’s work, based mainly on P. Clément: “Histoire de Colbert et de son administration” (Paris, 1892) [Volume I; Volume II] and Clément’s edition of the “Lettres, instructions, et mémoires de Colbert” (Paris, 1861-70). [Volume I; Volume II (1); Volume II (2); Volume III (1); Volume III (2) ; Volume IV; Volume V; Volume VI; Volume VII; Errata Général et Table Analytique]
Shepherd, R. P. Turgot and the six edicts. New York: Columbia University Press, 1903, pp. 263.
A scholarly study of the policy of Turgot.
Knapp, G. F. Die Bauernbefreiung und der Ursprung der Landarbeiter in den älteren Teilen Preussens. 2 Tle. [Volume I; Volume II] Leipzig: Duncker und Humblot, 1887, vii, 352; vi, 473 S.
A most valuable study of the condition of the Prussian peasants and the work of emancipation. The English reader will find a less authoritative account in Seeley’s “Life and times of Stein,” [Volume I; Volume II; Volume III] and Morier’s “Agrarian legislation of Prussia,” chapters from each being reprinted in B. Rand’s “Selections illustrating economic history,” fourth revised edition. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1903, pp. vii, 647.
Sombart, W. Der moderne Kapitalismus. 2 Bde. [Volume I; Volume II] Leipzig: Duncker und Humblot, 1902, xxxiv, 669; viii, 646. S.
Sombart, W. Die deutsche Volkswirtschaft im 19ten Jahrhundert. Berlin: Bondi, 1903, pp. xviii, 647.
These two works together form a stimulating interpretation of the recent economic development of Germany.
Ashley, Percy. Modern tariff history. London: Murray, 1904, pp. xviii, 367.
Contains a useful summary of the tariff history of Germany and France and a less useful one of the United States.
Liefmann, R. Kartelle und Trusts. 2 erweit. Aufl. Stuttgart: E. H. Moritz, 1910, 210 S. [5. Erw. und erb. Aufl. 1922]
A popular account with especial reference to Germany, written by a careful student of the subject.
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Emery, H. C. Economic development of the United States. Cambridge: University Press, 1904, in Cambridge Modern History, Volume VII: “The United States,” pp. 687-722.
The best brief survey. Two fairly good text-books in this field are: Coman, K., “The industrial history of the United States” (New York: Macmillan, 1905, pp. xviii, 343), and Bogart, E. L., “Economic history of the United States” (New York: Longmans, 1907, pp. 522).
Callender, G. S. Selections from the economic history of the United States, 1765-1860. Boston: Ginn & Company, 1909, pp. xviii, 869.
A comprehensive selection of original materials together with helpful editorial comment. Volume II (1860-1900) is in preparation.
Beer, G. L. The commercial policy of England toward the American colonies. New York: Columbia University Press, 1903, pp. 167.
An important monograph.
Hammond, M. B. The cotton industry. Publications of the American Economic Association. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1897, pp. viii, 382.
An historical study, especially good for the period before the Civil War.
Taussig, F. W. State papers and speeches on the tariff. Cambridge: Harvard University, 1893, pp. vii, 385.
Contains Hamilton’s report on manufactures, Gallatin’s free-trade memorial, Walker’s treasury report of 1845, and Clay’s and Webster’s speeches on the tariff of 1824.
Taussig, F. W. The tariff history of the United States. Fifth edition. New York: Henry Putnam’s Sons, 1903, pp. xi, 422.
This is the standard work on the subject. It is a scholarly investigation written from the free-trade standpoint. See also an article by the same author in the Quarterly Journal of Economics (November, 1909, Volume XXIV, pp. 1-38), on “The tariff debate of 1909 and the new tariff.” For the protectionist side of the tariff controversy see E. Stanwood’s “History of American tariff controversies.” 2 vols. [Volume I; Volume II] Boston: Houghton, Mifflin Company, 1903.
Dewey, D. R. Financial history of the United States. Second edition. New York: Longmans, Green & Co., 1903, pp. xxv, 530.
The standard text-book in its field. It contains excellent bibliographical notes.
Bullock, C. J. Essays on the monetary history of the United States. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1900, pp. x, 288.
Best on the period before the revolution.
Catterall, R. C. H. The second bank of the United States. Chicago: University Press, 1903, pp. xiv, 538.
A scholarly study.
Mitchell, W. C. A history of the greenbacks. Chicago: University Press, 1903, pp. xvi, 577.
An exhaustive work.
Noyes, A. D. Forty years of American finance. New York: Henry Putnam’s Sons, 1909, pp. ix, 418.
An excellent account of American financial history since the Civil War.
Hadley, A. T. Railroad transportation. New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1885, pp. iv, 269.
An early and valuable treatise.
Johnson, E. R. American railway transportation. Second edition. New York: D. Appleton & Co., 1908, pp. xviii, 434.
The best text-book on the subject.
Image Source: Portrait of Edwin Francis Gay, colorized by Economics in the Rear-view Mirror. Monochrome image from The World’s Work, Vol. XXVII, No. 5, March 1914.