Carey, Henry Charles

Related Category: Economics: Biographies

1793–1879, American economist, b. Philadelphia; son of Mathew Carey. In 1835 he retired from publishing, where he had done notable work, to devote himself to economics. His Principles of Political Economy (3 vol., 1837–40) and Principles of Social Science (3 vol., 1858–59) were among the first important American works in the field. Carey opposed the dominant British political economy of the day, particularly the “pessimism” of Ricardo and Malthus, and led in the theoretical development of American economic nationalism. He advocated the protective tariff but believed generally in laissez-faire.