Mathew Frith

Mathew Frith is a lecturer at the University of New England. He specializes in the history of economic thought, with background training in international political economy, economic history, economic development, and international trade theory.

His research primarily concerns 19th century American economic thought, with a particular focus on the ideas of the American Protectionist School which originated with Alexander Hamilton. Mathew earned his PhD in 2024 from Federation University Australia and has since been awarded the 2024 HETSA Prize and the 2025 Terenzio Maccabelli Prize for best PhD dissertation in the history of economic thought. He also recieved the 2025 HES Prize for Best Conference Paper by a Young Scholar.

Mathew's book, America's Neglected Protectionist Tradition: The Economics That Forged a Nation, will be released in August 2026. He has also published peer-reviewed articles on the economic ideas of Alexander Hamilton and the broader American protectionist school.

America's Neglected Protectionist Tradition: The Economics That Forged a Nation is available for pre-order from all leading booksellers. More information can be found at Anthem Press

Awards and Recognitions
2025 Terenzio Maccabelli Prize for Best PhD Dissertation on the History of Economic Thought.
Awarded by the Italian Association for the History of Economic Thought (AISPE). Value: €500.00

2025 HES Best Conference Paper by a Young Scholar Award.
Awarded by the History of Economics Society (HES).

2024 HETSA Prize for Best PhD Dissertation on the History of Economic Thought.
Awarded by the History of Economic Thought Society of Australia (HETSA).
Value: AU$300.00

Publications
Scholarly Books
Frith, M. A. (2026). America’s Neglected Protectionist Tradition: The Economics That Forged a Nation. London: Anthem Press. (in press) Link

​
Scholarly Articles
Frith, M. A. (2026). “Alexander Hamilton, Tench Coxe, and the Diversity of Talents: A Neglected Argument in Early American Protectionist Thought.” History of Economics Review. doi.org/10.1080/10370196.2026.2657703

Frith, M. A. (2024). “An Outline of ‘American Protectionist Thought: The Economic Philosophy and Theory of the 19th Century American Protectionists.’” History of Economics Review, 89(1), 31–39. doi.org/10.1080/10370196.2024.2435160

Scholarly Conference Papers
Frith, M. A. (Accepted). “The Role of Genius in John Rae’s Political Economy.” 2026 History of Economic Thought Society of Australia and Japanese Society for the History of Economic Thought Joint Conference. 28–29 September 2026. Doshisha University.

Frith, M. A. (2026). “The Theory of Tariff Incidence: Alexander Hamilton and his Nineteenth Century Followers.” 2026 European Society for the History of Economic Thought and History of Economics Society Joint Conference. 26–29 May. Université Côte d’Azur.

Frith, M. A. (2025). “Alexander Hamilton, Tench Coxe, and the Diversity of Talents: A Neglected Argument in Early American Protectionist Thought.” 2025 Winter Institute for the History and Philosophy of Economics, 18–22 December. University of Austin (UATX).

Frith, M. A. (2025). “The Theory of Individuality in American Protectionist Thought.” Annual History of Economic Thought Society of Australia Conference. 16–18 July, University of Western Australia.

Frith, M. A. (2025). “Van Buren Denslow and the Migratory Theory of Profit.” 52nd Annual History of Economics Society Conference, 28–30 June, University of Richmond.

Frith, M. A. (2024). “American Protectionist Thought: A Summary of a Neglected Tradition in the History of Economic Thought.” Annual History of Economic Thought Society of Australia Conference, 26–27 September, Alphacrucis University College.

Frith, M. A. (2019). “The Economics of Henry Charles Carey.” Annual History of Economic Thought Society of Australia Conference, 2–4 October, University of Sydney.
 

Presentations, Seminars, and Special Lectures

Frith, M. A. (2025). “Alexander Hamilton, Tench Coxe, and the Diversity of Talents: A Neglected Argument in Early American Protectionist Thought.” UNE Business School Seminar Series, 22 November, University of New England.

Frith, M. A. (2025). “Van Buren Denslow and the Migratory Theory of Profit.” UNE Business School Seminar Series, 28 February, University of New England.

Frith, M. A. (2024). “The Theory of Individuality in American Protectionist Thought.” UNE Business School Seminar Series, 2 May, University of New England.

Frith, M. A. (2021). “Theories of Diversity and Individuality in Early American Protectionism.” Federation Business School Research Seminar Series, 29 October. Also presented at the Federation University HDR Research Conference, 24 November, Federation University Australia.

Frith, M. A. (2019). “The Economics of Henry Charles Carey.” Federation University HDR Research Conference, 25 July, Federation University Australia.

For a more complete CV, see: https://www.mathewfrith.com/cv

International Political Economy (ECON320/420/520)

International Business (BUS202/502)