As We Are and As We May Be

Name: As We Are and As We May Be
Author: Walter Besant

By Walter Besant

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Essays, Letters & Speeches Gender & Sexuality Studies

About This Book

A sequence of essays offers practical observations and proposals for improving urban life, focused on social welfare, education, and recreation. Topics range from the precarious position of women who must earn a living to the role of parish institutions, public amenities, and organised charity in alleviating poverty. The writer balances reportage and prescriptive argument, addressing the relationship between culture and the masses, the provision of leisure and art, and the need for collective action to promote material and moral improvement. Recurrent examples and reflections underline a consistent philanthropic outlook and hope for gradual civic progress.

About the Author

Walter Besant

Walter Besant was a British novelist and historian, known for his vivid portrayals of London and its social conditions. His works often explore themes of social reform and the lives of the working class. Among his notable titles is "All Sorts and Conditions of Men: An Impossible Story," which critiques the disparities of Victorian society. Besant's writing is characterized by a blend of fiction and social commentary, making significant contributions to the literary heritage of the late 19th century. He was also involved in various philanthropic efforts and was a prominent figure in the promotion of literature and the arts.