Shaftesbury: The great reformer

by Richard Turnbull

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.

Genres: History, Biography

256 pages, Paperback

First published February 19, 2010

Reviews

[Robbie Burns · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazing man whose legacy we still see today. We think the way we think about mental health, child welfare, education and poverty in Britain largely because of the work he began. Shaftesbury was clear about his motives: all are made in the image of God and therefore should be treated with dignity and love. He made the plight of the poor his own problem. We have him to thank as a many of the first laws protecting vulnerable groups stemmed from his campaigning.


Average book. Tricky to wade through at times.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Instead of a chronological account of Shaftesbury's life, this is more of a subject matter account that jumps around, and is sometimes hard to follow.

It's amazing how much he accomplished during his life with almost uninterrupted service in the House of Commons, and later in the House of Lords, from 1826 to the time of his death in 1885. Since he believed that man is made in the image of God, then government must protect the men, women and children (and even animals) in British life who didn't have a voice.

It's not possible to pinpoint it exactly, but Shaftesbury became a Christian sometime in the mid-1820's. William Wilberforce was a strong influence on him with his book, A Practical View of Christianity. Edward Bickersteth influenced him with his premillenial views, and he also was influence by Philip Doddridge's writings.

Shaftesbury sponsored or co-sponsored legislation regulating and improving mental institutions, the use and abuse of child labor, including in the mines and chimneys, education for the poor with the Ragged Schools movement, city water and sanitation, lodging houses, and much more.

In addition, he was the chairman or on the board of many institutions, including the London City Mission, the Ragged School Union, the Board of Health, the Bible Society, and others.

This was a great man, but I'm not convinced this book does him full justice.

[Guy Troup · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there.” (L. P. Hartley)

19th Century England was a different context to today. The battles Shaftesbury fought were different from the ones we are called to fight today. For example, there are no longer children being employed as chimney sweeps or factory workers today. And yet, I'm guilty of seeing the 19th century as a golden age of Christianity in this country. From reading this book I discovered that evil was no less prevalent then, than it is today. And Shaftesbury was a warrior in God's army who we are called to emulate. "He was in essence a man, flawed, but also one of courage, integrity, consistency and persistence: in short a man of passion." (p.227)

Jesus was a man of passion. Indeed his journey to crucifixion is known as "The Passion". And thanks to that passion we can be forgiven and be filled with the Holy Spirit in order to live new, passionate, lives following Christ and fighting against evil. May it be so, to God's glory, Amen!

[Philippa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this account of the Victorian Lord Shaftesbury but found the book a little frustrating in the way it jumped from topic to topic. I’ll be on the lookout for a more linear narrative of his remarkable life.

[Clara! · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible man and life story!

[David Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. Great insight into the 'the great reformer' if u don't know Victorian social history and the 3rd world nature of England then it's a good quick read.

[Simon · Rating 3 out of 5]

If this book was the Earl of Shaftesbury, then this would be a five star book. He was obviously an amazing man of God, who cared for people's souls and people's lives. The book is obviously well researched, but the writing can be pretty clunky, and the structure is a bit all over the show. Still, it's a good treatment of the subject, and the author makes a clear and well supported link between the Earl's faith and his political activism.