Booth’s Maps of London Poverty, 1889

Charles Booth (1840-1916) was a British shipowner, social researcher, and reformer, best known for his pioneering work in documenting poverty and social conditions in London at the end of the 19th century. His monumental study, Life and Labour of the People in London, published in multiple volumes between 1889 and 1903, provided a comprehensive analysis of poverty, employment, and living conditions, using statistical methods and detailed street-by-street surveys. Booth’s work challenged prevailing assumptions about the causes of poverty and significantly influenced social policy and reform efforts in Britain. He was a member of the Royal Statistical Society and actively engaged in public debates about poverty and social welfare.