The best-loved politician and social reformer of nineteenth century
England, Lord Shaftesbury's deep compassion for the poor became
legendary. He campaigned tirelessly to limit factory hours, to stop the
use of boys as chimney sweeps and children in coalmines, and to develop
universal education. As a result he changed the character of English
society forever. Areas covered in this important new biography include
his upbringing and education; his work as a politician and his campaign
for mental health; factory and industrial reforms; campaigns for
climbing boys and for better sanitation and housing; his contribution
towards the founding of the Bible Society, CPAS, London City Mission,
Ragged School Union and CMS; his role as a defender of the Protestant
faith and the campaign against ritualism; his personal theology.