John Law: The Projector (1881)

""John Law: The Projector"" is a historical novel written by William Harrison Ainsworth and published in 1881. The story is based on the life of John Law, a Scottish economist and financial speculator who was instrumental in the development of the Mississippi Company, which was responsible for the colonization of Louisiana in the early 18th century. The novel begins with Law's early life in Scotland, where he was educated in mathematics and economics. It then follows his travels through Europe, where he became involved in various financial schemes and eventually rose to prominence in the French court of King Louis XV. As the head of the Mississippi Company, Law was responsible for the sale of shares in the company to investors, which led to a financial bubble and ultimately a crash. The novel explores Law's motivations and the political and economic climate of the time, including the rivalry between France and England, and the impact of the South Sea Bubble on the financial markets. Throughout the book, Ainsworth weaves historical events and figures into the fictional narrative, creating a vivid and engaging portrait of Law and his world. The novel is a fascinating exploration of the early days of modern finance and the individuals who shaped it.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.