- Date:
- 1860
- Original Format:
- Carte de Visite
- Item#:
- MES22859
- Photographer:
- Elliott & Fry (London)
Anthony Ashley Cooper (1801-1885)
Lord Ashley, the 7th Earl of Shaftsbury, devoted his life to reforming abusive labor practices of children and women. In 1840 Lord Ashley helped set up the Children's Employment Commission. Its first report on mines and collieries, published in 1842, caused a sensation as most people in Britain were unaware that women and children were employed as miners. Later that year Lord Ashley piloted the Coal Mines Act through the House of Commons. As a result of this legislation women and children were prohibited from working underground. He continued to battle for the education of working-class children.