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

 

Due to staff illness the library will not be open tomorrow (Tuesday 10th June)

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

18-20 November 2025

£2,250 ex VAT

London

London

2026 - coming soon!

£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

Lord Brian Griffiths on inflation is more than about money

Tue 24 June 2025

Over the last 15 months the UK rate of inflation has fallen from double figures to just above the target rate of 2%. But inflation…

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Latest event

Past events

Financial Communication: Turning Mistakes into Mastery – Using Techniques from the World of Acting (in association with CFA UK)

Join us for a engaging evening led by Martyn Barmby, Managing Director at MSB Executive – and also a professionally trained actor. Martyn combines his ...
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Dr Philip Luck on Trump’s tarriffs

In the wake of the sweeping “Liberation Day Tariffs” introduced by President Donald Trump, global markets, trade partners and domestic industries are grappling with a ...
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Eoin McLaughlin on British pounds – Irish rates

According to The Irish Times, 1956 was one of the most challenging years in the history of the Irish state. The macroeconomic crisis of 1955–56 ...
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John Kay on the corporation of the 21st century

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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Harry Nimmo on Biggest ain’t best

Harry will talk about the key lessons learnt when picking stocks, constructing portfolios and building a specialist investment business. He’ll look at the characteristics in ...
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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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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

The Library of Mistakes

Changing the world in Libraries Week

Libraries Week is an annual celebration of how libraries change lives - and it is happening this week. This year's theme – 'changing lives by ...
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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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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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