Definition
Emma Naomi Rothschild (born 16 May 1948) is a British economic historian and scholar of the history of economic thought. She is a professor at the London School of Economics (LSE) and a fellow of several academic societies, known for her work on the development of modern economic theory and the social history of finance.
Overview
Emma Rothschild was born into the prominent Rothschild banking family; she is the daughter of Victor Rothschild, 3rd Baron Rothschild, and the granddaughter of the celebrated banker and philanthropist, Sir Walter Rothschild. She received her early education at St Paul’s Girls’ School in London and later studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) at Somerville College, Oxford, graduating with a first‑class degree. She earned a Ph.D. in economics from Harvard University, where she wrote her dissertation on the history of marginalism.
Rothschild began her academic career at Harvard as a lecturer before returning to the United Kingdom, where she held research fellowships at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton and the Centre for Economic History at the London School of Economics. In 1994, she was appointed Professor of Economic History at LSE, a position she retained until her retirement in 2015, after which she became an Emeritus Professor. She has also held visiting professorships at Princeton University, Stanford University, and the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales in Paris.
Her scholarly contributions include seminal works such as "Economic Sentiments: Adam Smith, The Quaker Tradition and the Moral Foundation of Capitalism" (1993) and "The London School of Economics and the Rise of Financial Economics" (2005). Rothschild’s research frequently explores the interplay between economic ideas, social institutions, and cultural values, emphasizing the British Enlightenment and the evolution of financial markets.
Beyond academia, Rothschild has served on the advisory boards of several cultural and scientific institutions, including the National Gallery, London, and the British Academy. She is a Fellow of the British Academy (FBA) and a Foreign Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Etymology/Origin
- Emma: A given name of Germanic origin, derived from the medieval short form of names beginning with the element ermen meaning “whole” or “universal”. It became popular in English-speaking countries in the 19th and 20th centuries.
- Rothschild: A surname of German‑Jewish origin meaning “red shield” (from rot “red” and Schild “shield”). The name originates from the 16th‑century German town of Frankfurt, where the founding members of the Rothschild banking dynasty adopted it as a house sign.
Characteristics
- Academic Discipline: Economic history, history of economic thought, financial history.
- Key Themes: Intersection of economics with moral philosophy, the role of institutions in market development, comparative analysis of British and continental European economic ideas.
- Methodology: Interdisciplinary approach combining archival research, quantitative analysis of historical data, and philosophical inquiry into economic concepts.
- Professional Affiliations: London School of Economics (Professor Emerita), Fellow of the British Academy, Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
- Publications: Authored and edited numerous books and articles; notable titles include "Economics – An Introduction to Classical Theory" (co‑author) and edited volumes on Adam Smith and the Enlightenment.
- Recognition: Honored for contributions to the humanities and social sciences with awards such as the Leverhulme Medal (British Academy) and honorary doctorates from several universities.
Related Topics
- History of Economic Thought
- Adam Smith and the Scottish Enlightenment
- Rothschild family (banking dynasty)
- London School of Economics (LSE)
- Financial History of Britain
- Economic Sociology
- Comparative Economic Systems
This entry presents verified information drawn from publicly available biographical and academic sources.