Charles Mackay

Charles Mackay (1814–1889) was a Scottish poet, journalist, and popular historian, best known for his works on psychology and social commentary. He gained prominence for his insightful writing on the nature of human behavior, particularly in relation to mass movements and public opinion. His most famous work, Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds (1841), examines various historical events and phenomena, such as financial bubbles and fads, revealing the irrationality that often drives collective behavior. Mackay's engaging prose and keen observations made significant contributions to the understanding of psychology and sociology in the 19th century, and his legacy continues to resonate in discussions about crowd behavior and societal trends.