Scotland: John Law, The Man Who Financially Ruined France

In today’s episode, we’re diving into the chaotic life of John Law — the Scottish economist who escaped prison, fled across Europe, and somehow convinced France to let him run their entire financial system.

We’re talking:

• Gambling addictions and duels in 1600s London
• Escaping prison and going full digital nomad across Europe
• The creation of paper money in France
• The rise and catastrophic fall of the Mississippi Company
• The financial bubble that helped spark the French Revolution

At one point, John Law became the richest man in Europe.
And then? He lost everything.

This episode covers one of the most infamous financial crashes in history — a cautionary tale about speculation, inflation, stock market bubbles, and what happens when you let a gambler print unlimited money.

If you love stories about:

• Financial history
• Economic collapse
• Stock market bubbles
• The history of paper money
• Wild historical scandals
• And... Gerard Butler!?

You are going to love this one.

John Law, Mississippi Bubble, French economy collapse, history of paper money, financial crash 1720, stock market bubble history, French financial crisis, economic history podcast, Scotland history, France history