George Whatley (died 1791) was an English lawyer, a friend and correspondent of

Benjamin Franklin Benjamin Franklin (April 17, 1790) was an American polymath: a writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, printer, publisher and Political philosophy, political philosopher.#britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Wood, 2021 Among the m ...

. He was also Vice President (1772–1779) and Treasurer (1779–1791) of the

Foundling Hospital The Foundling Hospital (formally the Hospital for the Maintenance and Education of Exposed and Deserted Young Children) was a children's home in London, England, founded in 1739 by the philanthropy, philanthropic Captain (nautical), sea captain ...

in London. Whatley was the author of '' Principles of Trade'', published in 1774, which expounded the benefits of '' laissez faire'' economics, allied to

free trade Free trade is a trade policy that does not restrict imports or exports. In government, free trade is predominantly advocated by political parties that hold Economic liberalism, economically liberal positions, while economic nationalist politica ...

. Some sources claim Franklin co-authored the book with Whatley, while Franklin gives full credit to Whatley. Jared Sparks in ''The Works of Benjamin Franklin'' 1840, credits Franklin for the notes: these are in the view of noted economist Jacob Viner, superior to the text. Whatley's portrait by an unknown painter is part of the Foundling Hospital art collection, at the Foundling Museum.Nicolson, ''Treasures of the Foundling Hospital,'' p. 60.

Notes

Year of birth missing 1791 deaths English lawyers {{UK-law-bio-stub