The State of the Poor

A book which is one of the classical works of the history of economics and which was a profound influence on the writings of such leading thinkers as Malthus and Bentham. Marx described Sir Frederick Eden as the only disciple of Adam Smith during the 18th century who achieved anything of significance. This work is published in three volumes - the first contains a description of the condition of the labouring classes and an analysis of its cause; the second and third contain supporting facts for this analysis based on detailed reports on workhouses, houses of industry and charities. Eden's "State of the poor" is a collection of facts that is of continuing importance to social study.