Victorian social reformer, supported in her early years by John Ruskin as her own family was bankrupt. By working closely with slum dwellers in London, like a prototype social worker, she improved housing conditions for 3000 families. Insisted on strict rental agreements and a commitment to self improvement, hated “alms giving”. Creating green spaces was a big theme of hers, planted trees and greenery in slum courtyards, also raised money to buy Hampstead Heath and other park areas as places for families to have leisure. Eventually became one of the founders of the National Trust.
From In Our Time podcast, BBC