Books

London: by J. Davis, for B. & J. White, G. & G. Robinson, T. Payne [& 4 others in London],, 1797. A classic of social analysis, in contemporary calf First edition of the first major study of the English poor; "it has proved the basis of sociological investigation ever since" (PMM). "The State of the Poor is one of the classical works in the history of economics. Eden was led to embark on the subject by the high prices brought on by the war in 1794 and 1795, and the effect they had on the living conditions of the poorer classes. He established the framework of his investigation by lengthy visits to several parishes; the rest was filled in by his many correspondents up and down the land" (PMM.). Eden describes the condition of the poor and its causes, extensively substantiated with reports of the administration of workhouses and charitable organizations, and lengthy appendixes including much statistical data of prices and wages. It includes a list of works on poverty and its…