The Library of Mistakes

The Library of Mistakes

World-leading financial history education

 

 

 

 

Beautiful
free-to-use library

Renowned online and in-person courses

Podcasts, events
and webinars

 

World-leading financial history education

Beautiful
free-to-use library

Renowned online and in-person courses

Podcasts, events
and webinars

Practical History of Financial Markets 2025

Come and study our renowned financial history course, delivered in person by our experts, in some of the world’s leading financial centres.

London

London

13-15 May 2025

£2,250 ex VAT

London

London

18-20 November 2025

£2,250 ex VAT

How did Edinburgh become the city of money over 300 years, only to fall from grace in the financial crash of 2008?

Supported by wealth managers RBC Brewin Dolphin and brought to you by the Library of Mistakes. Money Talks, Money Walks is an audio-guided walk through the history of the Scottish capital's relationship with money.

The Library of what?

Edinburgh’s Library of Mistakes is like no other venue: a hub of research, intellectual curiosity and conviviality set in the city's historic New Town.

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The Library of Mistakes Course

Advanced Valuation in Financial Markets

Our renowned in-person course runs twice a year in London. The online version of our course, is available for both finance professionals and non-professionals.

As featured in the Financial Times

In conjunction with Heriot-Watt University

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Upcoming events

John Kay on the corporation of the 21st century

Thu 24 April 2025

We’ve been told that business is run by a capitalist elite which uses its accumulated wealth to control the means of production; that ownership of…

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Latest event

Past events

The Stories We Tell – Narrative Economics and the Stage

This is a companion event to the recent staging of Liam’s play, The Land That Never Was, about legendary Scottish conman Gregor MacGregor, who sold ...
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JP Smith on Emerging Markets — Great Expectations, Dismal Reality?

Since 2010 emerging market equities have recorded a dismal performance in both absolute and relative terms, despite the overwhelmingly bullish consensus. In this lecture Smith ...
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Xmas film night – It’s a Wonderful Life – film and introduction from Keeper, Russell Napier

T’is the season to be jolly? Or, perhaps t’is the season to learn the connection between one of the most beloved movies of the festive ...
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Anthony Bolton on what I learnt as a fund manager

With a knack for delivering market beating returns over many years in his Fidelity Special Situations Fund, his mantra was always to avoid the herd ...
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Jesse Norman on Adam Smith and the implications of his work for modern policy

Jesse is an expert on Adam Smith, having written a seminal biography of the economist – Adam Smith: what he thought, and why it matters. ...
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Our Collection

We hold a selection of quirky curiosities and a fine collection of books — all related to the ups and downs of financial markets and businesses throughout the years.

You can view a sample of the books (and more) by clicking the button below.

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Recent news

Want to fully understand financial history? Then study Russia at the Library of Mistakes

The latest blog from our librarian Dr Helen Williams Not all our books are on financial history. For anyone wanting to find out more about ...
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Library of Mistakes looks at…itself!

With our podcast series now established in the top 2% of global downloads (who knew that financial history could be so zeitgeist?!), we’re excited to ...
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‘Weekend of Mistakes’ returns after sold-out first year with expanded programme featuring “Pre-Eminent Economists, Thinkers and Authors”

Following the sell-out success of last’s year’s event, Edinburgh’s renowned Library of Mistakes is again partnering with Hay Castle Trust to present the second Weekend ...
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More about the Library

We are the perfect backdrop for you to host your event, whether entertaining clients, running a seminar or giving a presentation. High quality AV for streaming and room for 90 people in-person.

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Looking cool and supporting the library is never a mistake!

For errorists (that’s fans of the Library!) we sell branded quality goods including t-shirts, mugs, postcards and pencils. Items are available to purchase in person from the Library.

For information use our contact page.

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The Library of Mistakes
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