John Law's key insight was that money is not the inherent value goods are traded for, but the system enabling the trade. This conceptual leap from commodity money (gold) to an abstract financial technology laid the groundwork for modern fiat currencies.
In an era defined by religious warfare, John Law's conversion from Protestantism to Catholicism was a pragmatic business decision, not a spiritual one. This illustrates a remarkably secular and free-thinking mindset, treating religion as a political necessity rather than a deeply held conviction.
Law's history as a gambler, murderer, and socialite reflects a personality comfortable with high stakes and defying convention. This inherent recklessness was not separate from his genius; it was the foundation for his ability to envision a radical new monetary system beyond the tradition of gold.
The creation of the Bank of England and John Law's monetary schemes were not academic exercises. They were desperate measures to solve the massive national debts accumulated by England and France from decades of war, showing how fiscal crisis is a powerful catalyst for financial innovation.
Goldsmiths distinguished between customers wanting specific gold returned (bailment) and those depositing fungible coins. This latter category allowed them to lend out deposits, creating a de facto fractional reserve system long before it was formally institutionalized, revealing the organic origins of modern banking.
After fleeing a murder conviction, John Law spent a decade traveling Europe. This forced exile exposed him to Amsterdam's advanced financial markets and the diverse economic problems of different nations. This practical, continent-wide education was crucial in shaping his revolutionary monetary theories.
John Law's 1694 prison escape was not a simple jailbreak but a politically sanctioned solution. Faced with pressure from both Law's and his victim's families, the king's officials hinted at the ease of escape, allowing the problem to "go away" without direct royal intervention.