The insurance business is one of the key industries in terms of size and importance. Now immensely sophisticated, its relatively humble origins are still little known. The History of Insurance gathers together key writings which chart the formative years of the whole concept and review important historical stages from contemporary perspectives. The collection includes texts spanning three centuries from major figures of their time, amongst them Francis Bacon, Daniel Defoe, Charles Babbage and Edwin Chadwick. Insurance as a readily recognisable business first emerged in Britain at the end of the sixteenth century. The two main concerns of the pioneers over the next two hundred years were fire insurance - doubtless a reaction to such events as the Great Fire of London in 1666 - and marine insurance - a reflection of Britain's prominent position in the world of seaborne trade. These two areas are afforded detailed coverage in the selection of documents reproduced. Some of the records of the very earliest of companies are included - the Sun Fire Office, Royal Exchange Assurance and the Hand in Hand - the three offices chiefly responsible for developing the theory and practice of insurance throughout the eighteenth century. Features include: * Texts reproduced in facsimile, first editions wherever possible. * A comprehensive general introduction. * Headnotes to each item, and consolidated index.