Autor: William McDougall

Charles Mackay (1814–1889) was a Scottish poet, journalist, author, and anthologist. He is most memorably noted for his seminal work “Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds, ” first published in 1841, where Mackay analyzes the crowd psychology behind economic bubbles, alchemy, crusades, witch hunts, prophecies, and other social phenomena. Although the book referenced, “The Psychology Behind the Madness of a Crowd, ” seems to be a misphrased title likely derivative of his aforementioned classic work. His investigations into the manipulative forces of group behavior and the susceptibility of the masses to suggestion were pioneering and remain influential in both economic and psychological studies. Known for his scholarly style, Mackay”s prose seamlessly wove historical analysis with a narrative that revealed the universality of human folly. His observations have endured the test of time, proving prescient in the understanding of market psychology and collective behavior. This legacy keeps his work alive, particularly resonant within financial sectors and among sociologists who explore the dynamics of societal behavior. Beyond “Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds, ” Mackay”s oeuvre includes various volumes of poetry and songs, such as “Voices from the Mountains” (1846) and “The Lump of Gold” (1848), demonstrating his versatile engagement with Victorian literary culture.