Robert Owen

ROBERT OWEN




" He is a man of almost sublime and childlike simplicity of character, and at the same time
one of the few born leaders of men."

May, 14 1771: He was born in Newton

He attended local schools until the age of 10, when he became an apprentice.

Much of his free - time he spent in the library because of his keen interest in reading ( is
very important for his later career ).

1790: He became superintendent of a large Cotton mill

Situation at the beginning of his work:

- bad living conditions of the people working in the factory
- crime and vice
- neglected education and sanitation
- intolerable housing conditions

Therefore he created a lot of reforms. At the beginning, however, he was regarded as an
outsider by his partners and workmen.

His reforms: - established a new school - system: - education for all children under 12

- infant school
- allowed no pauper children to work in his farms
- opened a store, where the workers could buy goods a little more than cost
price

created in New Lanark a "Mecca for social reformers" ( social reformers, statesmen and royal personages went on a pilgrimage to this town )

New Harmony: The land he bought from a religious community in India

Owen's community ideas maintained a hold and they provided a basis for the worldwide consumers' movements.

Nov. 17 1858: He died in Newton

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