The Rowntree Legacy: Analysis of Poverty and the Concept of the Poverty Cycle

Joseph undertook detailed analysis of poverty in England from the 1860s, carefully gathering statistics on public spending, development of the poor laws, crime and literacy to inform his essay On Modern British Civilisation: In what it consists. And in what it does not consist. This essay is an example of Joseph’s forthright and radical views at this point in his life. Some of his essays had to be toned down before they could be shared with Quaker brethen – one of J Storrs Fry’s (Bristol chocolatier and fellow member of the Society of Friends) letters to Joseph in 1863 provides an example of advice on this point. Joseph’s analysis of statistical evidence was adopted by his son Seebohm who shared his father’s desire to identify and address the root causes of poverty and it was he who firmly established the concept of the poverty cycle through his extensive research and writing on this issue. Poverty and the impact of poverty continue to be very real social and political issues today. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation continues to work to resolve poverty.