William Petty English economist, scientist and philosopher Date of Birth: 27.06.1623 Country: Great Britain

1. Biography of William Petty
2. Early Life and Education
3. Career and Contributions
4. In 1685, Petty returned to London, where he passed away in 1687.

Biography of William Petty

William Petty was an English economist, scientist, and philosopher. He was a member of the Parliament of England and gained fame as a scholar, inventor, and entrepreneur. Petty is best known for his economic research and the theory of political arithmetic. He is considered the founder of the principle of non-intervention in political activities. Petty became renowned for his service under Oliver Cromwell and the Commonwealth in Ireland. He developed effective methods for surveying and inspecting lands subject to confiscation. Even after the change of power, Petty held an important position and maintained his influence during the reigns of King Charles II and King James II.

Early Life and Education

William Petty was born into a family of tailors and became the great-grandfather of Prime Minister William Petty Fitzmaurice. Despite his family background, Petty displayed exceptional talent and intelligence from a young age. In 1637, he became a student at Oxford University. However, his aspirations to become a seafarer were cut short when he broke his leg and was forced to return to land in Normandy.

Petty spent some time studying Latin with local Jesuits and supported himself by teaching English to those interested. By the time he returned to England a year later, Petty had acquired knowledge in Latin, Greek, French, mathematics, and astronomy. In 1643, he traveled to Holland, where he expanded his knowledge to include anatomy. In Amsterdam, Petty met an English professor who secured him a position as a secretary to Thomas Hobbes. Working for Hobbes, Petty had the opportunity to personally meet René Descartes, Pierre Gassendi, and Marin Mersenne.

Career and Contributions

In 1646, Petty returned to England and pursued his interest in medicine at Oxford University. He became acquainted with Robert Boyle and Samuel Hartlib and joined the London Philosophical Society. It is possible that Petty encountered John Milton during this time. In 1652, Petty joined Oliver Cromwell's army and traveled to Ireland. Disillusioned with traditional educational institutions, Petty embarked on creating a "new science" inspired by Francis Bacon. In Ireland, he was driven by ambition, a thirst for power, and money. Petty devised a method to make the Lord Protector's army self-sustaining.

Upon returning to England, Petty attempted to run for Parliament but was unsuccessful. In 1662, he published his first economic work. He became interested in naval architecture and worked on proving the superiority of two-decked ships. In 1666, Petty returned to Ireland, where he spent the next 12 years.

Petty's pursuit of Bacon's "new science" cost him most of his positions in Oxford. He shifted his focus to social sciences and remained dedicated to this field of study. His primary goal was the prosperity of Ireland, and his works proposed a range of reforms to help the struggling nation.

In 1685, Petty returned to London, where he passed away in 1687.

William Petty made significant contributions to economics and political science. His theories on non-intervention and his innovative methods for land inspection and surveying remain influential in these fields. Petty's dedication to the betterment of Ireland and his commitment to scientific inquiry have solidified his place in history as a pioneering economist, scientist, and philosopher.