Poverty, A Study of Town Life
Encyclopedia
Poverty, A Study of Town Life (1901) is the first book by social investigator Seebohm Rowntree and details his investigation of poverty
in York
and what this indicated about the nature of poverty at the start of the 20th century.
As of 2000, this title was still in print (ISBN 1861343043, 2nd revised edition).
I. General characteristics of the City of York
II. Social and Economic Condition of the Wage-Earning Class in York
III. The Standard of Life
IV. The Poverty Line
V. The Immediate Causes of Poverty in York
VI. Housing
VII. The Relation of Poverty to the Standard of Health
VIII. Family Budgets: A Study in the Expenditure and Diet of Working Classes
IX. Summary and Conclusion
Supplementary Chapter
movement, as well as the subsequent Liberal welfare reforms from 1906 to 1914.
The book had particular influence on the politician and future Prime Minister
Winston Churchill
, whom, when addressing an audience in Blackpool
in 1902 stated that Rowntree's book had "fairly made my hair stand on end", going on to call the findings a "terrible and shocking thing", expressing sympathy with "people who have only the workhouse or prison as avenues to change from their present situation".
who advocated the principles of self-help and limited government intervention in regard to poverty. Helen Bosanquet
, one of the founders of the COS, and wife of Bernard Bosanquet (philosopher)
complained about the accuracy of the findings and explained that Rowntree's poverty line represented "no statistical evidence at all, but is merely a summary of impressions." Charles Loch, the COS secretary, was scathing about "generalizations cloaked in numerical phraseology".
Poverty
Poverty is the lack of a certain amount of material possessions or money. Absolute poverty or destitution is inability to afford basic human needs, which commonly includes clean and fresh water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing and shelter. About 1.7 billion people are estimated to live...
in York
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
and what this indicated about the nature of poverty at the start of the 20th century.
As of 2000, this title was still in print (ISBN 1861343043, 2nd revised edition).
Summary
The book documents Seebohm's comprehensive survey of the poverty in the City of York, detailing the data obtained, the results of its analysis and drawing conclusions about the extent, reasons for and character of poverty in York at the time.Chapters
IntroductionI. General characteristics of the City of York
II. Social and Economic Condition of the Wage-Earning Class in York
III. The Standard of Life
IV. The Poverty Line
V. The Immediate Causes of Poverty in York
VI. Housing
VII. The Relation of Poverty to the Standard of Health
VIII. Family Budgets: A Study in the Expenditure and Diet of Working Classes
IX. Summary and Conclusion
Supplementary Chapter
Main Findings
The study showed that 28% of York's population was living in serious poverty, and that some workers in full time employment were living close to starvation level due to low wages.Influence
Rowntree's findings proved instrumental in changing public perception of the causes of poverty, and are widely regarded as a signficant factor in the emergence of the New LiberalismSocial liberalism
Social liberalism is the belief that liberalism should include social justice. It differs from classical liberalism in that it believes the legitimate role of the state includes addressing economic and social issues such as unemployment, health care, and education while simultaneously expanding...
movement, as well as the subsequent Liberal welfare reforms from 1906 to 1914.
The book had particular influence on the politician and future Prime Minister
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the Head of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Parliament, to their political party and...
Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
, whom, when addressing an audience in Blackpool
Blackpool
Blackpool is a borough, seaside town, and unitary authority area of Lancashire, in North West England. It is situated along England's west coast by the Irish Sea, between the Ribble and Wyre estuaries, northwest of Preston, north of Liverpool, and northwest of Manchester...
in 1902 stated that Rowntree's book had "fairly made my hair stand on end", going on to call the findings a "terrible and shocking thing", expressing sympathy with "people who have only the workhouse or prison as avenues to change from their present situation".
Criticism
The publication received contemporary criticism predominantly from groups such as the Charity Organization SocietyCharity Organization Society
The Charity Organization Societies also called the Associated Charities was a private charity that existed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a clearing house for information on the poor. The society was mainly concerned with distinction between the deserving poor and undeserving poor...
who advocated the principles of self-help and limited government intervention in regard to poverty. Helen Bosanquet
Helen Bosanquet
Helen Bosanquet, née Dendy was a social theorist and social reformer.She is most recognizably known as one of the leaders of the Charity Organisation Society in Britain...
, one of the founders of the COS, and wife of Bernard Bosanquet (philosopher)
Bernard Bosanquet (philosopher)
Bernard Bosanquet was an English philosopher and political theorist, and an influential figure on matters of political and social policy in late 19th and early 20th century Britain...
complained about the accuracy of the findings and explained that Rowntree's poverty line represented "no statistical evidence at all, but is merely a summary of impressions." Charles Loch, the COS secretary, was scathing about "generalizations cloaked in numerical phraseology".
External Links
Poverty: A Study of Town Life at Internet ArchiveInternet Archive
The Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...