who is the father of capitalism

The father of capitalism is widely recognized as Adam Smith, an 18th-century Scottish economist and philosopher. He is best known for his seminal work, "An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations" (1776), where he laid the foundations of modern economic theory, emphasizing free markets, competition, and the idea of the "invisible hand" that guides self-interest toward economic prosperity. Smith's ideas fundamentally shaped the development of capitalism as an economic system and its role in society.