Turgot's Unknown Translator: The Réflexions and Adam Smith (1964)

The work which we propose to treat of here in translation is entitled Rijiexions sur la formation et la distribution des richesses, the best known of the works of Turgot, the finance minister of Louis XVI, and an acknowledged precursor of the revolution of 1789.1 For simplicity's sake we shall abridge two brief enough accounts of the life and work of - ANNE-RoBERT JACQ.UES TURGOT, MARQ.UIS DE L'AuLNE, born 10 May, 1727, to a family that passed over into Nonnandy at the time of the Crusades. Saint Turgot (1045-1115), Abbot of the monastery of Dunelm and bishop of St. Andrew, was minister to Malcolm III. Anne-Robert's father, Michel-Etienne, distinguished for many civic improvements, was Prevost of the merchants of Paris. His brother, Etienne-Franc;ois, a noted commander general of Malta, founded the Royal Society of Agriculture. Anne-Robert entered the Sorbonne, and while a Prior there in 1750 delivered two Discours, in the second of which he foresaw the fate of America, saying, "The Colonies are like fruits which will not cling to the vine long enough to ripen." Councillor to the Parlement of Paris, 1752. Master of Requests there, 1753. Intendant of the Generaliti of Limoges, 1761. Minister of Marine, 1774.