Social Settlements in Britain and the USA c. 1880-1980

The "settlement ideal" was one of class reconciliation to be achieved by middle-class residence in settlement houses in deprived inner city areas. This volume presents a study of British and American settlement houses; their origins, ideals, development and decline during the 20th century.

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The "settlement ideal" was one of class reconciliation to be achieved by middle-class residence in settlement houses in deprived inner city areas. Combining patronage with faith, but much more importantly, culture and education, the first settlement house, Toynbee Hall, in London's East End, opened in 1884. For the next two decades, other foundations were recorded in London and other British cities (Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh and Glasgow) and in the United States (Pittsburg, Chicago) where the movement gathered strength rapidly. This volume presents a comparative study of British and American settlement houses; their origins, ideals, development and decline during the 20th century. It should be of interest to anyone conducting social or historical research on 19th or 20th century Britain and the USA.