The Theory of Moral Sentiments
by Adam Smith
The Theory of Moral Sentiments is Adam Smith's 1759 work of moral philosophy, printed for Andrew Millar in London and Kincaid and Bell in Edinburgh. It laid groundwork for his later Wealth of Nations, and a sixth edition appeared in 1790.
- Editions tracked
- 1
- First edition
- Printed for A. Millar, 1759
- First published
- Andrew Millar; A. Kincaid and J. Bell, London and Edinburgh, 1759
- First UK edition
- Andrew Millar, 1759
The first edition of The Theory of Moral Sentiments by Adam Smith was published in London by Printed for A. Millar in 1759. We track 1 edition.
Which edition do you have?
First edition
- 1st Printed for A. Millar1759 Hardback I own The Theory of Moral Sentiments, Printed for A. Millar 1759 Log in to want this
We have not yet researched the issue points for this book. If you know how to tell the first from later printings, tell us and we will credit you once it is checked against a second source.
Awards, adaptations and setting
In print
- Editions recorded
- 53 on Open Library, 47 in English
- Wikipedia
- Articles in 20 languages
- Free to read
- Project Gutenberg (out of copyright in the US)
From Wikidata and Open Library, both CC0. A prize or a new adaptation often lifts demand for the first printing.
Pictures of the book
Freely licensed pictures of the work. They are not necessarily the edition you hold: check the points on each edition's page.
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How to Identify a First Edition
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Read the guide →Frequently asked questions
Who published the first edition of The Theory of Moral Sentiments?
The first edition of The Theory of Moral Sentiments by Adam Smith was published in London by Printed for A. Millar in 1759.
How many editions of The Theory of Moral Sentiments are there?
We track 1 edition of The Theory of Moral Sentiments, including 1 first edition. Each has its own page with how to identify it.
Can I read The Theory of Moral Sentiments for free?
Yes: the text is out of copyright in the United States and free to read on Project Gutenberg. Collectors still pay for the first edition, which is the physical object, not the words.
Where these facts come from
- The Theory of Moral Sentiments, Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
- The Theory of Moral Sentiments editions, Open Library (openlibrary.org)
Every fact on this page was checked against the sources listed. Checked 23 October 2026. Reviewed by Harriet Ellis; read how we check facts.