In 1776, Adam Smith (1723-90) wrote The Wealth of Nations, a foundational book that earns him the title of the father of economics. Today, he is associated with the promotion of self-interest, a defense of greed, and a critique of any government interference in market transactions, which, when left to the invisible hand, generate prosperity and freedom. However, when one actually reads Smith, these associations are more of a caricature than a faithful portrait. In this very short introduction, Christopher Berry provides a balanced and nuanced view of this groundbreaking thinker, situating his passionate defense of free trade and competition, as well as his critique of special interests, within the context of contemporary European history, politics, and philosophy. As Berry explores, Smith was much more than just an economist. His book The Theory of Moral Sentiments offered a complex portrayal of ethics in the community.