William Ellis (economist)

In 1827 he was appointed chief manager of the company, and held that position for many years, until on his retirement he was elected director.

Ellis was interested in economic speculations, and joined the "Utilitarian Society" formed by John Stuart Mill.

He joined Mill in another informal club for the discussion of economic questions about 1825–30, and was one of those who "originated new speculations".

While Ellis largely funded the schools, he had backers in George Combe, William Ballantyne Hodgson and others.

[2] At the request of the Prince Consort he gave lectures to the royal children at Buckingham Palace.

He wrote a series of textbooks for the advancement of his economic views; the best known was Lessons on the Phenomena of Industrial Life, edited by Richard Dawes.

His works include: Ellis also contributed the article on "Marine Insurance" to the first edition of John Ramsay McCulloch's Commercial Dictionary.