William Petty, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

    

William Petty

English scientist, philosopher, statistician and economist

Date of Birth: 26-May-1623

Place of Birth: Romsey, England, United Kingdom

Date of Death: 16-Dec-1687

Profession: writer, physician, businessperson, politician, mathematician, economist, sociologist, statistician, philosopher, demographer

Nationality: United Kingdom

Zodiac Sign: Gemini


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About William Petty

  • Sir William Petty FRS (26 May 1623 – 16 December 1687) was an English economist, physician, scientist and philosopher.
  • He first became prominent serving Oliver Cromwell and the Commonwealth in Ireland.
  • He developed efficient methods to survey the land that was to be confiscated and given to Cromwell's soldiers.
  • He also remained a significant figure under King Charles II and King James II, as did many others who had served Cromwell. Petty was briefly a Member of the Parliament of England and was also a scientist, inventor, and merchant, and was a charter member of the Royal Society.
  • It is for his theories on economics and his methods of political arithmetic that he is best remembered, however, and to him is attributed the philosophy of "laissez-faire" in relation to government activity.
  • He was knighted in 1661.
  • He was the great-grandfather of Prime Minister William Petty Fitzmaurice, 2nd Earl of Shelburne and 1st Marquess of Lansdowne.

Read more at Wikipedia