Reprint of the final edition containing revisions made by the author and a biography, along with the supplementary volume by Thomas Mackay. Nicholls [1781-1865] was a pioneering poor-law reformer and administrator. While Great Britain's Poor Law Commissioner he drafted the Irish Poor-Law Act (1832). One of the first to assert that relief bred a culture of dependency and a resistance to work, he advocated the abolition of relief except as a last resort. In addition to the present study he wrote A History of the Scotch Poor Law (1856) and A History of the Irish Poor Law (1856), both of which are available in reprint editions by The Lawbook Exchange, Ltd. Like his other studies, this one relates the evolution of poor laws since the medieval era to economic, social and political history. Notably sophisticated works, they were held in high regard by Sir Leslie Stephen and F.W. Maitland.

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

First Published in 1968. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.