John Maynard Keynes, who among his many careers was a successful financial speculator, once likened securities investment to a contest in which the participants are asked to pick the six prettiest faces from a hundred photographs.

From that perspective, he may go down as one of the most successful speculators in the 20th century.

I took advantage of opportunities, and I was a successful speculator.

Mr. Miller was a most successful speculator in Melbourne property, and having conducted his investments with marvellous prudence, died on 7 February 1888, in Kew, Melbourne, leaving enormous wealth.

So I sought out and became acquainted with one of the most successful speculators who ever lived: Burton S. Castles.

Ivar was also a successful speculator for much of his life making lots of money until shortly before the end.

George Soros, one of the world's most successful speculators and richest men, has come as close as anyone to personifying the spread of global capitalism and the power of international financial markets.

Mr. Kaufman describes one of his friends, a successful speculator, as a real maniac.

The English in fifteenth-century France were like successful speculators, appropriating the assets of the conquered land, and escaping with their profits before the crash of 1453 (86; 88, pp.31-9).

As well as causing a breakdown in the economic system, the inflation led to a spread of corruption; it meant humiliation for many thousands of families, whilst a few successful speculators found themselves with untold wealth.