Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds

"Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds" by Charles Mackay is a historical account written in the mid-19th century. The book investigates various collective follies and delusions that have swept through societies across time, analyzing how social dynamics can lead to widespread irrational behavior among people. Topics like financial manias, such as the Mississippi Scheme and the South-Sea Bubble, are central to Mackay's exploration of humanity's propensity for folly. The opening of the work sets the stage for an examination of the concept of collective insanity, focusing on the life of John Law, a key figure in the Mississippi Scheme. Mackay introduces the reader to Law as both a brilliant financier and a possible conman, illustrating his rise and fall amid the frenzy and greed of the French populace. It describes Law's early life, his gambling exploits, and how he caught the attention of the Duke of Orleans, leading to his ambitious financial schemes intended to restore France's economy after years of corruption. This narrative not only foreshadows Law's eventual downfall but also reflects on the broader themes of ambition and delusion that permeate societal behaviors throughout history. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Charles Mackay, McKay, or MacKay may refer to:Charles Mackay (author) (1814–1889), Scottish poet, journalist, author, anthologist, novelist, and songwriter Charles McKay (1855–1883), American naturalist and explorer Charles Mackay (mayor) (1875–1929), New Zealand lawyer, local politician, and Mayor of Wanganui Charlie MacKay (1880–1953), Australian rules footballer and physician Charles Reay Mackay, Australian immunologist, fellow of the Australian Academy of Science Charles R. MacKay, pseudonym for William Harral Johnson and William Stewart Ross used on Life of Charles Bradlaugh, M.P. (1888), a libelous attack on Charles Bradlaugh Charles MacKay, American arts administrator