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" He is a man of almost sublime and childlike simplicity of character, and at the same time
one of the few born leaders of men."
· May, 14 1771: He was born in Newton
· He attended local schools until the age of 10, when he became an apprentice.
Much of his free - time he spent in the library because of his keen interest in reading ( is
very important for his later career ).
· 1790: He became superintendent of a large Cotton mill
· Situation at the beginning of his work:
- bad living conditions of the people working in the factory
- crime and vice
- neglected education and sanitation
- intolerable housing conditions
Therefore he created a lot of reforms. At the beginning, however, he was regarded as an
outsider by his partners and workmen.
· His reforms: - established a new school - system: - education for all children under 12
- infant school
- allowed no pauper children to work in his farms
- opened a store, where the workers could buy goods a little more than cost
price
· created in New Lanark a "Mecca for social reformers" ( social reformers, statesmen and royal personages went on a pilgrimage to this town )
· New Harmony: The land he bought from a religious community in India
· Owen´s community ideas maintained a hold and they provided a basis for the worldwide consumers´ movements.
· Nov. 17 1858: He died in Newton
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