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
Alistair Darling
Alistair Darling, who sadly died on 30 November, as Chancellor of the Exchequer, steered the UK through one of its most serious crises of recent times during the 2008 financial crash.
He also graciously came to the library for our reopening last year and spoke openly about those times.
This record of an extraordinary episode is, we hope, a testament to the efforts he and others made when the global financial system was in jeopardy.
Practical History of Financial Markets 2024
Come and study our renowned financial history course, delivered in person by our experts, in two of the world’s leading financial centres

Edinburgh
(tbc)
£2,250 ex VAT

London
October 2024 (dates tbc)
£2,250 ex VAT
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.

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 nonprofessionals.
As featured in the Financial Times
In conjunction with Heriot-Watt University

Latest lecture
Patrick Schotanus – The Market Mind Hypothesis
Recent lectures
Charles Williams and Andrew Speirs – The Iceland Banking Saga – Fixing The Calamity
Rachel O’Dwyer – Tokens
Simon Clark – The Key Man
Philip Roscoe – How to Build a Stock Exchange
Martin Lees – Managing Systemic Challenges in a new Era of World Affairs
Bob Traa – Challenges to stability and macroeconomic development: the case of the European Union
Our Collection
We hold a selection of quirky curiosities and 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.

Recent news
Kwasi Kwarteng tells Library of Mistakes bond markets don’t act rationally
What truly drives the world’s financial markets?
New Podcast out – Michael Howell
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 host 90 people in-person.

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.
