Edmund Smith
Professor of Economic Cultures at the University of Manchester and author of Ruthless, a study of Britain’s rise to wealth and power from 1660 to 1800, focusing on industrialisation, empire and global commodity networks.
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Feb 16, 2026 • 37min
The ruthless revolution that made Britain great
Edmund Smith, Professor of Economic Cultures and author of Ruthless, links Britain’s rise to early industrial innovation and global exploitation. He traces wool and textile transformations, Swansea’s mining boom, state mercantilism, stolen technologies and deep ties to slavery. He also draws parallels between past industrial change and today’s technological shifts.
