David Ricardo

David Ricardo was a British economist and politician active in the early 19th century. He is known as one of the central figures in classical economics, and the material provided here places him among the thinkers who shaped economic debate around trade, markets, and national production.

Ricardo wrote about political economy and taxation in a highly structured, theoretical way. He is especially associated with comparative advantage, the idea that countries should focus on the kinds of production where they have a relative edge, and with the iron law of wages. That makes his work a fit for readers interested in economics, policy, and the way abstract arguments can shape how trade and economies are understood.

A good place to start is On the Principles of Political Economy, And Taxation from 1817, the only title listed here. It is the clearest entry point if you want to meet Ricardo through his own writing rather than through summaries of classical economics. It will suit readers who are curious about economic theory, the history of ideas, and the connection between policy and trade.