ABSTRACT
Edwin Cannan, economist, was born at Funchal, Madeira, 3 February 1861, the younger son of David Alexander Cannan, a native of Kirkcudbrightshire, who held a business post in Australia at the time of the Victoria gold rush, and in Edwin's boyhood resided at Bournemouth. The concern with the history of economic thought, which showed itself in Edwin Cannan's first major work, was an abiding interest throughout his whole career. Cannan was a severe critic of the Classical Economists. Cannan's work in economics was not confined to the exposition and history of general theory. From a very early stage he took a lively interest in policy; and he played a prominent part in the public discussion of the practical problems of the day. For many years he reviewed current governmental publications for the Oxford Economic Review; and he served a term of office on the Oxford city council.
