Arthur Latham Perry (1830–1905) was an influential American economist and educator, most noted for his work on free-market economics. Born on February 27, 1830, in Lyme, New Hampshire, Perry graduated from Williams College in 1852 and later returned to his alma mater as a professor of history and political economy. Perry's treatise, 'Principles of Political Economy' (1865), is considered a seminal work in advocating laissez-faire economic principles during a period when classical liberalism was burgeoning. His advocacy for minimizing government intervention in economic affairs aligned with the ideas of Adam Smith and other classical economists. Perry's scholarly approach sought to simplify and communicate complex economic theories to a broader audience, contributing to the dissemination of economic thought outside academia. His literary style was marked by clarity and a didactic goal, aiming to empower readers with an understanding of economic principles that affect their everyday lives. Throughout his career, Perry remained a vociferous critic of protectionist policies and was a proponent of free trade, reflecting his ideological stance in both his teachings and writings. As an eminent figure in the field of political economy, Perry's contributions continue to be recognized in academic circles for their role in shaping the discourse on economic liberalism during the late nineteenth century.