Great perspective. Frédéric Bastiat (1801-1850) was a French economist, writer, and classical liberal advocating free markets and free trade, famous for satirizing protectionism - something we could use today!
But he was before Austrian Economics. Carl Menger founded the Austrian School with his 1871 book "Principles of Economics." It originated out of Vienna's academic scene.
Unfortunately the Elites understood they could control money and won the money battlefield in the late 1800's (Austrians lost). This arguably led to the system we have today which cause two World Wars and endless forever wars (all paid for with fiat).
It can't end soon enough! Were we would have been with real money!!!