Sandra J. Peart

Sandra J. Peart serves as Dean of the University of Richmond's Jepson School of Leadership Studies and holds the prestigious position of E. Claiborne Robins Distinguished Professor. She also serves as President of the Jepson Scholars Foundation and has held leadership roles as former president of both the International Adam Smith Society and the History of Economics Society. As a member of the Reform Club, she engages with broader discussions of political and economic reform.

Professor Peart's research focuses on the history of economic thought, particularly the works of James Mill and John Stuart Mill. Her scholarship examines how classical economists conceptualized the relationship between self and others, the dangers of factionalism, and the role of sympathy in political economy. She has made significant contributions to understanding James Mill's political theory, especially his analysis of the 'Few' and the 'Many' and how institutional arrangements might mitigate the dangers of faction.

Her recent publications include The Essential John Stuart Mill (2021) and the edited volume Hayek on Mill: The Mill-Taylor Friendship and Related Writings (2015). Her work frequently appears in academic forums such as Liberty Matters, where she has contributed substantially to scholarly discussions on classical liberal political theory.

Professor Peart's research demonstrates how classical economists viewed economic activity as a means of developing social virtues like reciprocity, fairness, and trust, rather than promoting narrow self-interest. Her analysis of James Mill's work reveals sophisticated insights into how group dynamics and sympathetic connections shape political outcomes, with implications that remain relevant to contemporary discussions of democracy and social cohesion.

Among her scholarly recognitions is the E. Claiborne Robins Distinguished Professorship, reflecting her significant contributions to the field. Her leadership in professional organizations demonstrates her standing within the academic community focused on the history of economic thought and classical liberal philosophy.