The Panic of 1907 Heralding a New Era of Finance, Capitalism, and Democracy

An authoritative "biography" of one of history's great financial crises with enduring lessons about contemporary finance

In this newly-revised second edition, offering 50% entirely new material, The Panic of 1907: Heralding a New Era of Finance, Capitalism, and Democracy, delivers a groundbreaking examination of one of the most consequential crises in financial history. Deftly weaving historical evidence, insightful analysis, and compelling narrative, The Panic of 1907 explains how and why a financial panic unfolds, with lessons that can be applied to our understanding of present-day financial and monetary systems. In the book, you'll find:

• The reasons why, despite today's stronger monetary regime and risk-mitigation tools, our modern institutions are not immune to future crises
• Explanations about the development of the United States' Federal Reserve System, which was created in 1913 in direct response to the Panic of 1907
• An engaging and entertaining account of an innately fascinating period in financial and economic history, with remarkable leaders and a gallery of rogues

An indispensable tale that belongs on the shelves of anyone with an interest in American or financial history, The Panic of 1907 is an expert retelling of one of the most important, but least well-known crises of the last 200 years.

ROBERT F. BRUNER, DBA, is University Professor, Distinguished Professor, and Dean Emeritus at the University of Virginia’s Darden Graduate School of Business Administration. His research is focused on corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, emerging market investment, financial crises, leadership, and general management.

SEAN D. CARR, PHD, is the Executive Director and CEO of the Global Innovation Exchange at the University of Washington. He is an affiliate Associate Professor at the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business. His research is focused on new ventures, entrepreneurial finance, technology strategy, and innovation leadership.

Acknowledgments ix

Prologue xi

Introduction 1

Chapter 1 A Buoyant Decade, a Fragile System, and Some Leaders at Its Apex 15

Chapter 2 A Shock to the System 31

Chapter 3 The “Silent” Crash 39

Chapter 4 Credit Crunch 53

Chapter 5 Copper King 65

Chapter 6 The Corner and the Squeeze 73

Chapter 7 Falling Dominoes 83

Chapter 8 Clearing House 91

Chapter 9 Knickerbocker 103

Chapter 10 A Vote of No Confidence 115

Chapter 11 A Classic Run 127

Chapter 12 Such Assistance as May Be Necessary 135

Chapter 13 Trust Company of America 145

Chapter 14 Crisis on the Exchange 155

Chapter 15 A City in Trouble 169

Chapter 16 Modern Medici 185

Chapter 17 Instant and Far-Reaching Relief 195

Chapter 18 Turning the Corner 209

Chapter 19 Ripple Effects 215

Chapter 20 Reckoning and a Split 229

Chapter 21 Money Trust 241

Chapter 22 A Central Bank 257

Chapter 23 Epilogue 273

Chapter 24 Reflections and Lessons 297

Technical Appendix: Analysis of Trust Company

Diversity and Deposit Runs 313

Notes 329

Bibliography 375

About the Authors 399

Index 401

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