The Financial Revolution In England: A Study In The Development Of Public Credit, 1688-1756

by Peter George Muir Dickson

Originally published in 1967, this work offers a detailed reconstruction of government borrowing during the first half of the 18th century. Utilizing a range of documentary sources, the author defines the nature of financial problems faced in the period and analyzes in detail the methods adopted to overcome them. Topics covered include government short- and long-term borrowing, the emergence of public creditors and the development of the market in securities - including the origins of the Stock Exchange. This Gregg Revivals reprint of the book includes a new introduction written by the author, which updates his original study.

Genres: History

580 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1967

Reviews

[Chi Pham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book reminds me of what historians should have done: using simple but precise literary style to portray the past to the unenlightened readers. In this study, Dickson introduces us to a much ignored revolution in England - an evolution that changed the world nevertheless: the Financial Revolution. From the Dutch model to the Franco-English rivalry, Dickson told a story, with evidence, of how the Financial Revolution had come to take shape, and how it contributed to the much remembered Industrial Revolution. Readers who are used to complex writing style of current scholars might find Dickson's assertions very simple, but those readers will come to accept how such simple writing ignites the passion of history for generations before us.

I might be ranting here, but I want to discuss whether this kind of writing is much better. After all, wouldn't all historians want their products to be read? Then why all the complicated theories, why all the such-and-such method devised by such-and-such scholars? While I understand that being able to cite all of these makes your writing much more convincing for the skeptical, well-read audience, some historians do not do the study of history any justice by refusing potential readers a chance to appreciate history.

Back to the subject: I do recommend this book, and you should skim it for some very interesting information.

[Will · Rating 4 out of 5]

PGM Dickson’s analysis of the economic and political climate of England from 1688-1756 is truely paradigm shattering. Dickson recreates, in sometimes excruciating detail, how England transformed its fiscal and political system after the Glorious Revolution (1688-89) and used this new engine to fuel its costly military campaigns on the continent and abroad.