The Origins of Modern Financial Crime

‘In this scrupulously researched book, Sarah Wilson brilliantly exposes the historical roots and contemporary consequences of financial crime. Her analysis traces the evolution of legal, popular and social scientific understandings of financial fraud over the past two centuries, and provides an important corrective to the mistaken idea that white-collar crime is a product of the 20th century and its various technological revolutions. The story of the long-running battle between the forces of fairness and transparency versus those of fraud and exploitation has rarely been so trenchantly told.’ - Michael L. Benson, Professor, School of Criminal Justice, University of Cincinnati, USA

‘This is an impressive study of how we think about what constitutes the boundary of legitimate business activity. It reminds us that the massive recent expansion in financial services seems to have been an almost Faustian pact, which has now backfired. Rarely can a history have been so important in understanding the present and Sarah Wilson’s book frames current financial regulation within the context of not just historical narrative, but a historiographical appreciation of past and present. This should inspire and encourage other scholars to investigate how legal ideas relate to the social and economic history of business.’ - Dr Roy Edwards, Management School, University of Southampton, UK

‘This excellent book is a "must-read" for anybody working in the field of financial crime, whether as a practitioner or academic lawyer. Financial crime has contributed to the global financial crisis and remains endemic in some business circles. In explaining how we have arrived at this position, Dr Wilson is able to offer readers some extremely important thoughts as to how the future response should best be framed.’ - Jonathan Fisher QC, practising barrister and visiting professor at the London School of Economics, UK

‘Dr Sarah Wilson has produced an excellent commentary on the evolution and development of financial crime in the United Kingdom. The monograph is timely, unique and a very significant piece of work. The commentary and analysis in this work are of the highest standard and Dr Wilson must be commended for producing an intriguing and thought-provoking commentary on a significant multidisciplinary topic.’ - Dr. Nicholas Ryder, Professor in Financial Crime, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK