The Library of Mistakes
The Library of Mistakes
World-leading financial history education
Beautiful
free-to-use library
Renowned online and in-person courses
Podcasts, events
and webinars
World-leading financial history education
Beautiful
free-to-use library
Renowned online and in-person courses
Podcasts, events
and webinars
For just £10* a month
£120 per year; offer available until 31 January 2026. Then £150 per year on a yearly basis
Practical History of Financial Markets 2026
Come and study our renowned financial history course, delivered in person by our experts, in some of the world’s leading financial centres.
London
2-4 June 2026
Book in January or February to secure the price of £2,250 ex VAT - increasing to £2,499 ex VAT (from 1 Mar 26)
London
22-24 September 2026
Book in January or February to secure the price of £2,250 ex VAT - increasing to £2,499 ex VAT (from 01 Mar 26)
Listen to our walking tour
How did Edinburgh become the city of money over 300 years, only to fall from grace in the financial crash of 2008?
Supported by wealth managers RBC Brewin Dolphin and brought to you by the Library of Mistakes. Money Talks, Money Walks is an audio-guided walk through the history of the Scottish capital's relationship with money.
The Library of what?
Edinburgh’s Library of Mistakes is like no other venue: a hub of research, intellectual curiosity and conviviality set in the city's historic New Town.
The Library of Mistakes Course
Advanced Valuation in Financial Markets
Our renowned in-person course runs twice a year in London. The online version of our course, is available for both finance professionals and non-professionals.
As featured in the Financial Times
In conjunction with Heriot-Watt University
Upcoming events
David Grosse on Bank Crises and the Behavioural Blind Spot – what have we learned and forgotten from the GFC and can lessons from other disasters help?
Tue 3 February 2026
The role of human psychology is recognized as a central factor in bank crises, driving the behaviour of market participants, exuberance, herding, panic and self-fulfilling…
Latest event
Mistake of the Year 2025
Past events
LoM Xmas film night – Trading Places
Sean Vanatta on Bank supervision in the US
Philip Fliers on the financing of fascism
Fiona Scott Morton on Common ownership – when is investing a risk to competition?
Michael Oliver on the 1990 “Lawson Conquest” of exchange rates
Tom Gayner on successes and mistakes in investing
Our Collection
We hold a selection of quirky curiosities and a fine collection of books — all related to the ups and downs of financial markets and businesses throughout the years.
You can view a sample of the books (and more) by clicking the button below.
Recent news
Library of Mistakes project kicks off in Montreal
Library of Mistakes and celebrated podcast A Long Time in Finance
Didasko Education, charity behind Library of Mistakes, taps Sir Keith Skeoch, Julian Ide as new chairman and vice-chairman
More about the Library
Rent the library
for your event
We are the perfect backdrop for you to host your event, whether entertaining clients, running a seminar or giving a presentation. High quality AV for streaming and room for 90 people in-person.
Looking cool and supporting the library is never a mistake!
For errorists (that’s fans of the Library!) we sell branded quality goods including t-shirts, mugs, postcards and pencils. Items are available to purchase in person from the Library.
For information use our contact page.
