CAREY, HENRY C(HARLES)

born Dec. 15, 1793, Philadelphia, Pa., U.S. died Oct. 13, 1879, Philadelphia American economist and sociologist, often called the founder of the American school of economics, widely known in his day as an advocate of protectionism. The son of Mathew Carey, Irish-Catholic political refugee, writer, and publisher, Carey became a partner in Carey, Lea & Carey, a leading American publishing house, and later its president. His education, though informal, resulted in a cursory acquaintance with many fields of learning. After 1835 he devoted himself to writing sociological and economic books and pamphlets. Among his more important works are Essay on the Rate of Wages (1835), Principles of Political Economy (183740), Principles of Social Science (185860), and The Unity of Law (1872). His works were translated into at least eight languages, many persons finding in them a foil to laissez-faire. He became increasingly critical of English classical political economy. An optimist, he looked upon nature's laws as conducive to steady economic progress and to the harmony of diverse economic interests. Also a Republican and a nationalist, Carey believed protection initially essential to the industrial development of rising nations. His home served as a salon to disciples and visitors, and his reputation was perhaps greater abroad than at home.