A lovely copy, uncut in the original boards and inscribed ‘From the author. 12 July 19’ in a secretarial hand to the head of the title page.
Originally published between 1813-1814, A New View of Society is ‘Owen’s first and most important published work, containing the principles upon which he based his educational and social reforms at New Lanark, an account of their application there, and an outline of the means by which his theories might be applied to the nation as a whole’ (Goldsmiths’ Owen Exhibition). It is considered ‘the first practical statement of socialist doctrine’ (PMM).
The work states clearly Owen’s view of social development, stressing his egalitarian educational doctrine. At the New Lanark industrial settlement Owen erected a large new building, the ‘Institute for the Formation of Character’, which was to contain public halls, community rooms and above all schools for the children at work in the factory, and with a nursery school (what Owen called a ‘playground’). The educational work at New Lanark for many years excited the admiration of visitors from all over the world. The ‘Fourth Essay’ of the book contains proposals at national level, including a universal state educational system, a Ministry of Education, colleges for training teachers, a system of state-aided public works, and the gradual abolition of the poor laws.
PMM, 271 (first edition); Carpenter, The Economic Bestsellers Before 1850, XXXIV (5).
