Thomas Mun

Sir Thomas Mun (17 June 1571 – 21 July 1641) was an English writer on economics and is often referred to as the last of the early mercantilists. Most notably, he is known for serving as the director of the East India Company. Due to his strong belief in the state and his prior experience as a merchant, Mun took on a prominent role during the economic depression which began in 1620. To defend the East India Company and to regain England's economic stability, Mun published A Discourse of Trade from England unto the East-Indies.

Through mercantilist principles, Mun created a proposed set of "means to enrich a kingdom" which centred on ensuring that exports exceeded imports. In other words, Mun advocated for achieving a positive balance of trade which would cause England's wealth to steadily increase. Thomas Mun is also widely considered to be a sophisticated thinker and has become a hugely important part of the history of economic theory.

Life and Background

Thomas Mun was born on 17 June 1571. He was the third child born into a substantial London family. His father, John Mun, and his stepfather both earned their livings as a mercer. His grandfather, also named John Mun, was provost of moneyers in the Royal Mint of England. Through his family ties It can be assumed that Thomas gained insight into matters pertaining to currency and to the economy as a whole. At the age of forty-one, Thomas married Ursula Malcott and together they had three children: John, Ann and Mary. They chose the parish of St. Helen's Bishopsgate as their home.

Thomas Mun (MP)

Thomas Mun (c. 1645 – 15 February 1692) was an English politician. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Hastings from 1681 to 1685 and again from 1689 to 1690.

Life

He was the son of John Mun (1615–1670), who was the son of Thomas Mun the writer on economics. He inherited Snailham in Icklesham, Sussex.

He was M.P. for Hastings in the last parliament of Charles II, held at Oxford in 1681, and again in the Convention parliament, 1689. As one of the barons of the Cinque ports he also represented Hastings at the coronations of James II, 1685, and of William and Mary. In May 1689 he, with the Hon. Sir Vere Fane, K.B. and John Farthing, esq., petitioned the king for an improvement in the management of the excise.

He was buried at Bearsted on 15 February 1692. He had eleven children.

References

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Mun, Thomas". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.