The correct answer is D. Lucas Pacioli.

Lucas Pacioli was an Italian mathematician, Franciscan friar, and Franciscan economist of the Renaissance who is considered the father of accounting. He is best known for his book Summa de arithmetica, geometria, proportioni et proportionalita, published in 1494, which includes a section on double-entry bookkeeping.

Carter, Pickles, and Malthus were all economists who lived in the 18th and 19th centuries. They are not known to have made any significant contributions to the development of double-entry bookkeeping.

Double-entry bookkeeping is a system of accounting in which every financial transaction is recorded twice, once as a debit and once as a credit. This system helps to ensure that the books are balanced and that all transactions are accounted for.

Double-entry bookkeeping was first developed in Italy in the 14th century. It was not widely used until the 16th century, when it was adopted by merchants and businesses throughout Europe.

Today, double-entry bookkeeping is the standard system of accounting used by businesses around the world. It is a complex system, but it is essential for accurate financial reporting.