Rare Adam Smith Annotated Book to be Displayed in Kirkcaldy

A unique book, featuring annotations by the Scottish philosopher and economist Adam Smith, is scheduled for exhibition in Kirkcaldy, Fife, his birthplace. This volume, John Locke’s *Two Treatises of Civil Government*, contains Smith’s personal handwritten notes and will be presented at Kirkcaldy Galleries. Smith pursued his studies at the University of Glasgow between 1737 and 1740, and it is believed he engaged with this particular text during his moral philosophy curriculum. Despite his prominence as a key figure of the Scottish Enlightenment, Smith was known to systematically destroy his personal papers and unpublished manuscripts, particularly those containing his annotations. This marks the first occasion Smith’s personal copy of the book has been publicly exhibited since experts confirmed the high probability that the pen markings within are indeed his. Curators anticipate these annotations will provide valuable insight into the evolution of Smith’s intellectual thought. He subsequently published *An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations*, a work that became a foundational text in the field of classical economics. Smith’s edition of *Two Treatises of Civil Government* was previously displayed in 2016. This coincided with its restoration, which was made possible with assistance from the Friends of Kirkcaldy Galleries. However, that earlier exhibition took place prior to the completion of research by specialists from the University of Glasgow and the National Library of Scotland, which indicated Smith as the likely author of the annotations. Professor Craig Smith commented that these markings can assist researchers in gaining a deeper understanding of Smith’s interests. He further stated: “Smith was a careful reader and these annotations show that he was a close reader of Locke’s work, giving us insight in how he criticised and was influenced by him.” Also featured in the exhibition are a snuff box and a pewter inkwell, both thought to have belonged to Smith, alongside a glass paste portrait of Smith and a portrait of his mother, Margaret Douglas. Visitors will also have the opportunity to view a first edition of *The Wealth of Nations*, the publication that launched his distinguished career.