LAW, JOHN

(1671-1729), financier; 6. Edinburgh; led a wild youth; imprisoned for slaying his antagonist in a duel; went to Holland, and became interested in finance; served in France under the Regent, 1715, and propounded a vast scheme to get the country out of financial difficulties. A bank was formed, of which L. became director, and company was formed to do trade with the Indies. A tremendous boom resulted, during which too many shares were i ued, prices rose, and a crash came, 1720, when L. became detested. He left France, and d. in poverty.