From Pauperism to Poverty

Focusing on the evolution of social policy, this collection of essays critiques the English poor law and social investigation texts from 1800 to 1914. It challenges conventional narratives surrounding pauperism and poverty, offering fresh interpretations of key historical texts by figures like Mayhew and Engels. A significant finding reveals that unemployment relief for men was largely eliminated post-1850. The essays stimulate broader discussions on historical writing and alternative analyses of social issues, revising established understandings of poverty relief.