The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists

By Robert Tressell,

Book cover of The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists

Book description

The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists is a classic representation of the impoverished and politically powerless underclass of British society in Edwardian England, ruthlessly exploited by the institutionalized corruption of their employers and the civic and religious authorities. Epic in scale, the novel charts the ruinous effects of the laissez-faire mercantilist ethics…

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Why read it?

1 author picked The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

It was on the shelf at home (a big red covered book with very small print!) and is very much seen as a classic of working-class literature.

Tressell wrote this semi-autobiographical account of his time as a housepainter and presented the workers as philanthropists who work desperately hard to enable profits for the bosses. The book was rejected by publishers in his lifetime and only published after his death, his daughter having saved the book from his desire to burn it after rejection from several publishers.

From Adrian's list on managing people and working lives.

Want books like The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists?

Our community of 10,000+ authors has personally recommended 73 books like The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists.

Browse books like The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in socialism, the Edwardian era, and economics?

10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about socialism, the Edwardian era, and economics.

Socialism Explore 47 books about socialism
The Edwardian Era Explore 19 books about the Edwardian era
Economics Explore 381 books about economics