User:Croessus the king of lydia/sandbox/Political Economy Club (Glasgow)

The Political Economy Club of Glasgow, Scotland was founded in 1743 by Mayor Andrew Cochrane (officially titled "The Great Merchant and Provost of Glasgow"). As such, this club predated by almost eight decades the identically named Political Economy Club in London, begun in 1821. The Glasgow club was founded as a meeting place for Glasgow's merchants, particularly those involved in the importation of tobacco, to discuss and better understand trade economics. The club may have ceased operations during the 1740s, but was operating again by 1750. Shortly after this date, the noted economist Adam Smith— who had joined Glasgow College—joined the club.