William Edward Hearn

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William Edward Hearn QC (21 April 1826 – 23 April 1888) was an Irish-Australian academic, lawyer, politician, and economist. He was one of the four original professors at the University of Melbourne and later served as Dean of the Faculty of Law, a member of the Victorian Legislative Council, and Chancellor of the University of Melbourne. In economics, Hearn is best known for his work Plutology: or the Theory of the Efforts to Satisfy Human Wants (1863), a systematic treatise that gained international recognition and was praised by figures such as W. Stanley Jevons.

William Edward Hearn was born in Belturbet, County Cavan, Ireland, the son of Reverend William Edward Hearn (a curate and later vicar) and Henrietta Hearn (née Reynolds). He was educated at the Royal School Dungannon, County Tyrone, and then at Trinity College Dublin. At Trinity, he had a distinguished academic career, graduating BA in 1847 with a gold medal in classics and a first-class honor in logic and ethics. He received his MA in 1853 and LLD in 1863.

After graduating, Hearn was appointed Professor of Greek at Queen's College, Galway (now University of Galway) in 1849. He also served as a Whately Prizeman in Political Economy at Trinity College Dublin in 1853. During his time in Galway, he also lectured on other subjects, including logic, metaphysics, history, and English literature, showcasing his broad intellectual range. He was called to the Irish Bar in 1853.

In 1854, Hearn was selected as one of the four founding professors of the University of Melbourne. He was appointed to the chair of Modern History, Modern Literature, Logic, and Political Economy. He arrived in Melbourne in 1855 and quickly became a prominent figure in the intellectual and public life of the colony of Victoria.

University of Melbourne: Hearn was a dedicated and influential teacher. As the university developed, his professorial duties became more specialized. In 1873, he became the first Dean of the newly established Faculty of Law, a position he held until his death. He played a crucial role in shaping legal education in Victoria. He was elected Chancellor of the University of Melbourne in 1886, serving until his death.
Legal Practice: Alongside his academic duties, Hearn was admitted to the Victorian Bar in 1860 and built a successful practice, particularly in equity. He was appointed Queen's Counsel (QC) in 1886.

Hearn was actively involved in Victorian politics. He was elected to the Victorian Legislative Council for Central Province in 1878 and served until 1888. He was known for his erudition, conservative views, and contributions to legislative drafting and debate, particularly on matters of constitutional law and education. He was a strong advocate for free trade.

Contributions to Economics: Plutology Hearn's most significant contribution to economic thought is his book Plutology: or the Theory of the Efforts to Satisfy Human Wants (1863).

Systematic Exposition of Classical Economics: Plutology was one of the earliest systematic treatises on political economy published in Australia. It provided a comprehensive overview of economic principles, largely within the classical tradition of Adam Smith, Jean-Baptiste Say, and John Stuart Mill, but with distinctive emphases.
Focus on Human Wants and Consumption: A key feature of Plutology was its emphasis on human wants as the starting point and ultimate driver of all economic activity. This focus on consumption and the satisfaction of wants was somewhat innovative for its time, as many classical treatises began with production or distribution.
Definition of Wealth: Hearn adopted a broad definition of wealth, including not only material goods but also services and even personal attributes that contribute to satisfying wants. This was in line with thinkers like Frédéric Bastiat and Henry Charles Carey and contrasted with more restrictive definitions favored by some other classical economists.
Laissez-Faire Advocacy: The work strongly advocated for laissez-faire principles, arguing for minimal government intervention in the economy and emphasizing individual liberty and free markets.
Influence and Reception:
- Plutology was well-received internationally. W. Stanley Jevons, a pioneer of the Marginal Revolution, praised it highly, describing it in the preface to his Theory of Political Economy (1871) as "one of the ablest and, in many respects, most original" systematic treatises on economics, noting its "clear, appreciative, and original" style.
- Alfred Marshall also acknowledged Hearn's work.
- The book was used as a textbook in Australian universities and beyond, influencing economic education in the colonies.
- While Hearn's work did not break entirely new theoretical ground in the way that Jevons or Marshall did, its clarity, systematic approach, and particular emphases (like on wants and services) gave it a distinct place in 19th-century economic literature.

Beyond Plutology , Hearn made significant contributions in other fields:

The Aryan Household, Its Structure and Its Development: An Introduction to Comparative Jurisprudence (1878): This was a major work of historical sociology and comparative jurisprudence, influenced by Sir Henry Maine. It traced the development of social and legal institutions from the supposed early Aryan household.
The Government of England: Its Structure and Its Development (1867): A respected work on English constitutional law and history, which also became a standard textbook.

William Edward Hearn was a towering figure in 19th-century Victoria, making profound contributions to higher education, law, politics, and economic thought. As an economist, his Plutology stands as a significant early contribution from Australia to the broader stream of classical economic literature, recognized for its systematic approach and insightful perspectives. He played a crucial role in establishing and shaping the intellectual foundations of the University of Melbourne and the legal profession in Victoria.

1851: The Cassell Prize Essay on the Condition of Ireland. London: Cassell.
1863: Plutology: or the Theory of the Efforts to Satisfy Human Wants. Melbourne: George Robertson & Co.; London: Macmillan & Co. (Second edition, revised, Melbourne, 1864).
1867: The Government of England: Its Structure and Its Development. Melbourne: George Robertson; London: Longmans, Green, Reader, and Dyer. (Second edition, revised, London, 1886).
1878: The Aryan Household, Its Structure and Its Development: An Introduction to Comparative Jurisprudence. Melbourne: George Robertson; London: Longmans, Green, and Co.

William Edward Hearn QC (21 April 1826 – 23 April 1888) was an Irish-Australian academic, lawyer, politician, and economist. He was one of the four original professors at the University of Melbourne and later served as Dean of the Faculty of Law, a member of the Victorian Legislative Council, and Chancellor of the University of Melbourne. In economics, Hearn is best known for his work Plutology: or the Theory of the Efforts to Satisfy Human Wants (1863), a systematic treatise that gained international recognition and was praised by figures such as W. Stanley Jevons.

William Edward Hearn was born in Belturbet, County Cavan, Ireland, the son of Reverend William Edward Hearn (a curate and later vicar) and Henrietta Hearn (née Reynolds). He was educated at the Royal School Dungannon, County Tyrone, and then at Trinity College Dublin. At Trinity, he had a distinguished academic career, graduating BA in 1847 with a gold medal in classics and a first-class honor in logic and ethics. He received his MA in 1853 and LLD in 1863.

After graduating, Hearn was appointed Professor of Greek at Queen's College, Galway (now University of Galway) in 1849. He also served as a Whately Prizeman in Political Economy at Trinity College Dublin in 1853. During his time in Galway, he also lectured on other subjects, including logic, metaphysics, history, and English literature, showcasing his broad intellectual range. He was called to the Irish Bar in 1853.

In 1854, Hearn was selected as one of the four founding professors of the University of Melbourne. He was appointed to the chair of Modern History, Modern Literature, Logic, and Political Economy. He arrived in Melbourne in 1855 and quickly became a prominent figure in the intellectual and public life of the colony of Victoria.

University of Melbourne: Hearn was a dedicated and influential teacher. As the university developed, his professorial duties became more specialized. In 1873, he became the first Dean of the newly established Faculty of Law, a position he held until his death. He played a crucial role in shaping legal education in Victoria. He was elected Chancellor of the University of Melbourne in 1886, serving until his death.
Legal Practice: Alongside his academic duties, Hearn was admitted to the Victorian Bar in 1860 and built a successful practice, particularly in equity. He was appointed Queen's Counsel (QC) in 1886.

Hearn was actively involved in Victorian politics. He was elected to the Victorian Legislative Council for Central Province in 1878 and served until 1888. He was known for his erudition, conservative views, and contributions to legislative drafting and debate, particularly on matters of constitutional law and education. He was a strong advocate for free trade.

Contributions to Economics: Plutology Hearn's most significant contribution to economic thought is his book Plutology: or the Theory of the Efforts to Satisfy Human Wants (1863).

Systematic Exposition of Classical Economics: Plutology was one of the earliest systematic treatises on political economy published in Australia. It provided a comprehensive overview of economic principles, largely within the classical tradition of Adam Smith, Jean-Baptiste Say, and John Stuart Mill, but with distinctive emphases.
Focus on Human Wants and Consumption: A key feature of Plutology was its emphasis on human wants as the starting point and ultimate driver of all economic activity. This focus on consumption and the satisfaction of wants was somewhat innovative for its time, as many classical treatises began with production or distribution.
Definition of Wealth: Hearn adopted a broad definition of wealth, including not only material goods but also services and even personal attributes that contribute to satisfying wants. This was in line with thinkers like Frédéric Bastiat and Henry Charles Carey and contrasted with more restrictive definitions favored by some other classical economists.
Laissez-Faire Advocacy: The work strongly advocated for laissez-faire principles, arguing for minimal government intervention in the economy and emphasizing individual liberty and free markets.
Influence and Reception:
- Plutology was well-received internationally. W. Stanley Jevons, a pioneer of the Marginal Revolution, praised it highly, describing it in the preface to his Theory of Political Economy (1871) as "one of the ablest and, in many respects, most original" systematic treatises on economics, noting its "clear, appreciative, and original" style.
- Alfred Marshall also acknowledged Hearn's work.
- The book was used as a textbook in Australian universities and beyond, influencing economic education in the colonies.
- While Hearn's work did not break entirely new theoretical ground in the way that Jevons or Marshall did, its clarity, systematic approach, and particular emphases (like on wants and services) gave it a distinct place in 19th-century economic literature.

Beyond Plutology , Hearn made significant contributions in other fields:

The Aryan Household, Its Structure and Its Development: An Introduction to Comparative Jurisprudence (1878): This was a major work of historical sociology and comparative jurisprudence, influenced by Sir Henry Maine. It traced the development of social and legal institutions from the supposed early Aryan household.
The Government of England: Its Structure and Its Development (1867): A respected work on English constitutional law and history, which also became a standard textbook.

William Edward Hearn was a towering figure in 19th-century Victoria, making profound contributions to higher education, law, politics, and economic thought. As an economist, his Plutology stands as a significant early contribution from Australia to the broader stream of classical economic literature, recognized for its systematic approach and insightful perspectives. He played a crucial role in establishing and shaping the intellectual foundations of the University of Melbourne and the legal profession in Victoria.

1851: The Cassell Prize Essay on the Condition of Ireland. London: Cassell.
1863: Plutology: or the Theory of the Efforts to Satisfy Human Wants. Melbourne: George Robertson & Co.; London: Macmillan & Co. (Second edition, revised, Melbourne, 1864).
1867: The Government of England: Its Structure and Its Development. Melbourne: George Robertson; London: Longmans, Green, Reader, and Dyer. (Second edition, revised, London, 1886).
1878: The Aryan Household, Its Structure and Its Development: An Introduction to Comparative Jurisprudence. Melbourne: George Robertson; London: Longmans, Green, and Co.

William Edward Hearn QC (21 April 1826 – 23 April 1888) was an Irish-Australian academic, lawyer, politician, and economist. He was one of the four original professors at the University of Melbourne and later served as Dean of the Faculty of Law, a member of the Victorian Legislative Council, and Chancellor of the University of Melbourne. In economics, Hearn is best known for his work Plutology: or the Theory of the Efforts to Satisfy Human Wants (1863), a systematic treatise that gained international recognition and was praised by figures such as W. Stanley Jevons.

William Edward Hearn was born in Belturbet, County Cavan, Ireland, the son of Reverend William Edward Hearn (a curate and later vicar) and Henrietta Hearn (née Reynolds). He was educated at the Royal School Dungannon, County Tyrone, and then at Trinity College Dublin. At Trinity, he had a distinguished academic career, graduating BA in 1847 with a gold medal in classics and a first-class honor in logic and ethics. He received his MA in 1853 and LLD in 1863.

After graduating, Hearn was appointed Professor of Greek at Queen's College, Galway (now University of Galway) in 1849. He also served as a Whately Prizeman in Political Economy at Trinity College Dublin in 1853. During his time in Galway, he also lectured on other subjects, including logic, metaphysics, history, and English literature, showcasing his broad intellectual range. He was called to the Irish Bar in 1853.

In 1854, Hearn was selected as one of the four founding professors of the University of Melbourne. He was appointed to the chair of Modern History, Modern Literature, Logic, and Political Economy. He arrived in Melbourne in 1855 and quickly became a prominent figure in the intellectual and public life of the colony of Victoria.

University of Melbourne: Hearn was a dedicated and influential teacher. As the university developed, his professorial duties became more specialized. In 1873, he became the first Dean of the newly established Faculty of Law, a position he held until his death. He played a crucial role in shaping legal education in Victoria. He was elected Chancellor of the University of Melbourne in 1886, serving until his death.
Legal Practice: Alongside his academic duties, Hearn was admitted to the Victorian Bar in 1860 and built a successful practice, particularly in equity. He was appointed Queen's Counsel (QC) in 1886.

Hearn was actively involved in Victorian politics. He was elected to the Victorian Legislative Council for Central Province in 1878 and served until 1888. He was known for his erudition, conservative views, and contributions to legislative drafting and debate, particularly on matters of constitutional law and education. He was a strong advocate for free trade.

Contributions to Economics: Plutology Hearn's most significant contribution to economic thought is his book Plutology: or the Theory of the Efforts to Satisfy Human Wants (1863).

Systematic Exposition of Classical Economics: Plutology was one of the earliest systematic treatises on political economy published in Australia. It provided a comprehensive overview of economic principles, largely within the classical tradition of Adam Smith, Jean-Baptiste Say, and John Stuart Mill, but with distinctive emphases.
Focus on Human Wants and Consumption: A key feature of Plutology was its emphasis on human wants as the starting point and ultimate driver of all economic activity. This focus on consumption and the satisfaction of wants was somewhat innovative for its time, as many classical treatises began with production or distribution.
Definition of Wealth: Hearn adopted a broad definition of wealth, including not only material goods but also services and even personal attributes that contribute to satisfying wants. This was in line with thinkers like Frédéric Bastiat and Henry Charles Carey and contrasted with more restrictive definitions favored by some other classical economists.
Laissez-Faire Advocacy: The work strongly advocated for laissez-faire principles, arguing for minimal government intervention in the economy and emphasizing individual liberty and free markets.
Influence and Reception:
- Plutology was well-received internationally. W. Stanley Jevons, a pioneer of the Marginal Revolution, praised it highly, describing it in the preface to his Theory of Political Economy (1871) as "one of the ablest and, in many respects, most original" systematic treatises on economics, noting its "clear, appreciative, and original" style.
- Alfred Marshall also acknowledged Hearn's work.
- The book was used as a textbook in Australian universities and beyond, influencing economic education in the colonies.
- While Hearn's work did not break entirely new theoretical ground in the way that Jevons or Marshall did, its clarity, systematic approach, and particular emphases (like on wants and services) gave it a distinct place in 19th-century economic literature.

Beyond Plutology , Hearn made significant contributions in other fields:

The Aryan Household, Its Structure and Its Development: An Introduction to Comparative Jurisprudence (1878): This was a major work of historical sociology and comparative jurisprudence, influenced by Sir Henry Maine. It traced the development of social and legal institutions from the supposed early Aryan household.
The Government of England: Its Structure and Its Development (1867): A respected work on English constitutional law and history, which also became a standard textbook.

William Edward Hearn was a towering figure in 19th-century Victoria, making profound contributions to higher education, law, politics, and economic thought. As an economist, his Plutology stands as a significant early contribution from Australia to the broader stream of classical economic literature, recognized for its systematic approach and insightful perspectives. He played a crucial role in establishing and shaping the intellectual foundations of the University of Melbourne and the legal profession in Victoria.

1851: The Cassell Prize Essay on the Condition of Ireland. London: Cassell.
1863: Plutology: or the Theory of the Efforts to Satisfy Human Wants. Melbourne: George Robertson & Co.; London: Macmillan & Co. (Second edition, revised, Melbourne, 1864).
1867: The Government of England: Its Structure and Its Development. Melbourne: George Robertson; London: Longmans, Green, Reader, and Dyer. (Second edition, revised, London, 1886).
1878: The Aryan Household, Its Structure and Its Development: An Introduction to Comparative Jurisprudence. Melbourne: George Robertson; London: Longmans, Green, and Co.