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 14^th 1928.

From Paupers Progress by Joe Harris; NPC Publcations.