Books in the Financial History series

Brazil has one of the world's fastest growing economies. Mettenheim presents an analysis of the state's role in monetary policy, from the latter days of Portuguese rule, to the present day. Based on a variety of unknown archival sources, this study offers an alternative explanation for the rise and fall of Brazilian currencies.

This book analyses the formation of the Spanish banking system. It provides a general overview of European financial systems in operation during the mid-nineteenth century, followed by a detailed analysis of the economic and institutional changes that gave rise to a new form of banking in Spain.

This book examines one of the most famous economic-policy episodes in British history, offering an entirely novel and very sophisticated account. It explains key monetary and financial institutions in a highly accessible way, builds a novel interpretation of the creation and early years of the Bank of England from previously undiscovered archival data, shows who stood to benefit, and how, from the many innovations in money, banking and public finance being proposed by contemporary entrepreneurs and illustrates how knowing the financial constraints and objectives of government is essential for understanding the stakes and outcome of legislation pertaining to money and banking.

Despite their economic and social importance, there are relatively few book-length studies of national insurance industries. This collection of nine essays by a group of international experts redresses this balance; providing an extensive geographical and thematic spread, linked via an extensive introduction.

Despite their economic and social importance, there are relatively few book-length studies of national insurance industries. This collection of nine essays by a group of international experts redresses this balance; providing an extensive geographical and thematic spread, linked via an extensive introduction.

This book gives a comprehensive account of the history and underlying economics of the modern art market in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Britain.

This is an engaging study of the place occupied by the City of London within British cultural life during the Victorian and Edwardian periods. Michie uses both literary and popular novels to examine socio-economic representations during this period.

Addresses the financing of the American-Mexican War of 1846-48. This study argues that the successful financing of the American-Mexican War had a long-term beneficial effect on American financial institutions and markets.

In 1995, the Baring Brothers collapsed over a weekend, brought down by the 'rogue trader' Nick Leeson. Utilizing British and American archives, this work charts Baring Brothers development from wool merchants to one of the most powerful global financial institutions. It also analyses the errors which led to its downfall.

Filling a significant gap in the historiography, the essays in this volume show that debt slavery has played a crucial role in the economic history of numerous societies which continues even today.

Focusing on Fritz Machlup, Connell presents the story of the Bellagio Group and its contribution to modern finance. Initiated by Machlup the Bellagio Group was made up of thirty-two non-government academic economists. During the years between 1964 and 1977 the Group met eighteen times and made a series of recommendations for policymakers.