ABSTRACT
The life and intellectual career of José Alonso Ortiz, who first translated in 1794 The Wealth of Nations (WN) into the Spanish language, presents not a few shadows. This chapter tries to shed light on the vast number of aspects that are still unknown about Alonso’s work. The twelve years that he spent in Valladolid as a member of the local Enlightenment and as a prominent translator of significant foreign works are extensively detailed. Therefore, his translation of the WN is now contextualised in its authentic intellectual environment. Additionally, Alonso’s second Spanish edition of the WN (1806–1807) is deeply analysed. The chapter demonstrates how the new edition differs substantially from the first one. Summing up, this chapter gives a unique insight into Alonso´s role as an introducer of Smith’s ideas in Spain.
