157 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8BN
In this churchyard lies the man whose ideas shaped American capitalism. Adam Smith published The Wealth of Nations in 1776, the same year as the Declaration of Independence, and the two documents together helped define the intellectual architecture of the modern world.
Smith argued that free exchange, the division of labor, and self-interest channeled through markets could generate prosperity far more effectively than mercantilist state control. George Washington owned a copy. Alexander Hamilton, the first U.S. Treasury Secretary, drew on Smith while building his own ideas on how to order America’s financial system.
After finding the grave, head over to 4 Lochend Close to visit Panmure House, a 17th century townhome which served as the residence of Adam Smith from 1778 until his death in 1790. Now a part of Heriot-Watt University, Panmure House is where Smith finished the later editions of his magnus opus.
Note: The map directions take you to Panmure House; Smith’s grave is located next to the Canongate Kirk and Kirkyward (coordinates 55.95166870613089, -3.1788883917621726).