Ricardo was a political economist and, along with the likes of Adam Smith, one of the first major economic thinkers. He was a staunch opponent of the Corn Laws, which imposed restrictions and tariffs on imported grain and hence kept prices high. His theory of comparative advantage is still taught to economics students as one of the key reasons why free trade is good for society. Ricardo was also a successful investor.
Born in London in 1772, he left school at 14 to take a job at his father's stockbroking firm. For the next 30 years he traded stocks and bonds on the London Stock Exchange, successfully retiring shortly after the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.
What was his strategy?
Did this work?
What was his best investment?
What lessons can Ricardo teach us?
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