ABSTRACT
ECONOMIC ORTHODOXY: W S JEVONS, HENRY SIDGWICK AND ALFRED MARSHALL
Introduction
During his brief life of 1!6 years Jevons made major contributions to economics, statistics, logic and philosophy. Born in Liverpool in 1835, Jevons' parents were Unitarians who greatly encouraged their children's education.(!) By 16 he was at University College, London, studying botany, chemistry and the "mechanisms" of industrial society.(2) The family's metal business collapsed in the crisis of 181!7-1!8, and when Jevons realised that his education was a drain on the family's limited capital, he decided to accept a post as an assayer in the newly established Mint in Sydney, Australia, in 1853.(3) He remained in Australia till 1859, then resumed his studies at University College. Four years later he was appointed a tutor at Owens College, Manchester and in 1866 became the Professor of Logic, Mental and Moral Philosophy and Political Economy. He married the daughter of the founder of the Manchester· Guardian and in 1876 moved to a professorship at University College, London.
