Life of Octavia Hill
As Told in her Letters

The letters of social reformer Octavia Hill (1838–1912) reveal the human side to an extremely able administrator.

Octavia Hill (Author), C. Edmund Maurice (Edited by)

9781108024570, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 23 December 2010

630 pages, 10 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 3.5 cm, 0.79 kg

Octavia Hill (1838–1912) is today best remembered as one of the founders of the National Trust. However, her involvement in education and social reform, and particularly housing, was a large part of her work. Shocked at the poverty and overcrowding she found in London slums, she began to acquire and improve properties which would restore the tenants' dignity and self-respect. She organized a team of volunteer 'district visitors' to help the residents, and especially children, to achieve a better quality of life, including the provision of open spaces, training and recreational amenities. She was considerably influenced by Rev. F.D. Maurice, theologian and social worker, whose son, the editor of this work, married Octavia's sister Emily. The letters from which the 'life' is compiled show her extraordinary ability as an organiser, her humanity, and how much effort she put into her various activities, often overworking until she became ill.

Preface
1. Parentage and childhood
2. Early work in London. 1851–April, 1856
3. Working women's classes and art training, 1856–1858
4. Milton Street, Dorset Square. December, 1858–April, 1861
5. Nottingham Place School. Beginning of housing work. 1860–1870
6. 1870–1875. Growing publicity of Octavia's work
7. 1875–1878. The open space movement
8. 1878–1881. Foreign travels. Management of her work at home
9. 1881–1889. Appointment by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners
10. Further progress in housing and open space work. 1890–1902
11. Last years of life. 1902–1912
Conclusion
Index.

Subject Areas: Social & cultural history [HBTB]