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Francis Herbert Stead
The Reverend Francis Herbert Stead initiated the
campaign that won the Old Age Pension. He was born in 1857 at Howden,
Tyneside. When he was 17 he was employed by his elder brother Will on
the Northern Star as a junior reporter. He later went to Glasgow
University to study theology. After travelling in Europe, he took up a
ministry in the Congregational Church in Leicester.
He joined the Settlement movement which encouraged
university graduates to live and work in deprived areas to alleviate the
suffering of the poor, and in 1890 left Leicester to become the warden
of the Robert Browning Settlement in Walworth, South East London.
It was one of the poorest London boroughs with the
highest proportion of paupers in the country. Stead organised a broad
programme of recreational and educational activities. He was deeply
affected by the suffering of Poor and he dedicated himself to the cause
of abolishing pauperism.
Stead realised that charity itself was incapable of
dealing with the needs of the elderly, and believed that state pensions
were the only solution. In 1898, after learning that New Zealand was
introducing a non-contributory old age pension of seven shillings per
week for all at 65, he organised a meeting at Browning Hall and invited
the London Agent General of New Zealand to explain the scheme to trade
unionists and councillors.
After the meeting Mr A.E. Ball, later a Southwark
councillor, suggested that it would be a shame not to follow up the
interest and enthusiasm generated. Together with Charles Booth further
meetings were held in Birmingham, Glasgow and other cities, and a
National Pensions Committee was formed which mobilised a national
campaign for a non-contributory old age pension for all over 65.
His was a key contribution to the achievement of he
1908 Old Age Pension.. He died at Blackheath on January 14th
1928.
From Paupers Progress by Joe Harris; NPC
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