Routledge - Poverty and Poor Law Reform in 19th-Century Britain

Explore the evolution of social legislation with this Seminar Study from Routledge. This book examines the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834, a landmark piece of legislation that shaped welfare provision and workhouse systems for eight decades. David Englander provides a deep look into the changing ideas regarding poverty between 1834 and 1914. The text assesses current debates on Victorian attitudes toward the poor and reviews how the old system of poor relief functioned before the reforms. Readers can learn how the New Poor Law was enacted, how it was received by the public, and how it operated in daily practice. This study is an essential resource for those studying British social history. It includes a dedicated chapter on the Scottish experience, offering a broader perspective on how these reforms impacted different regions. Whether you are a student or a researcher, this book provides a clear assessment of the period from Chadwick to Booth.