The History of the Poor, Vol. 1 of 2: Their Rights, Duties, and the Laws Respecting Them; In a Series of Letters (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

Thomas Ruggles

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0428882285 ISBN 13: 9780428882280

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2018

Synopsis

Exploring the history of relief and rule in England

This two‑volume work assembles a series of letters that examine the rights, duties, and laws affecting the poor. Grounded in historical context, it traces how policy makers, clergy, and citizens viewed poverty, begging, and public duties across generations. The text surveys early ideas about employing the poor, workhouses, and parish relief, while weighing reform proposals against the realities of rural and urban life.

The book offers a clear look at many reform plans and the debates that shaped them. It discusses the practical challenges of feeding and employing the needy, and it contrasts proposals from different authors with the lived experience of those who depended on public aid. Through these letters, readers gain a window into how people reasoned about social policy long before modern welfare systems.

• A historical overview of the evolution of poor laws and relief practices in England
• An examination of early proposals for workhouses and at‑home work, plus their practical limits
• Profiles of writers who argued for reform and how their ideas were received
• Reflections on how policy, economics, and daily life intersected in the administration of aid

Ideal for readers of social history, policy history, and anyone interested in the long arc of public welfare and governance.

Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0428882285
• ISBN 13: 9780428882280
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 320