William Cunningham (1849–1919) was a prominent British economist and economic historian. Originally published in 1916, this book presents the content of a series of lectures that were delivered by Cunningham at the London School of Economics and Political Science during the spring of 1915. The text provides a concise study regarding the development of capitalism in Britain and the nature of economic history more broadly. A bibliography is also included. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in economics, the development of capitalism and British history.