Lord Shaftesbury

[Jack-inessex]

Why was lord shaftesbury important?(7th earl of Shaftesbury)

[Drusilla]

Lord Shaftesbury was a rich philanthropist who was very concerned about the welfare of children and ordinary workers. During the Victorian era, infant and primary age children were often forced to work in appalling conditions and he made it his life's work to improve their lot. He was also involved in the Factory Acts and Mines Acts that improved the conditions for workers in these industries. The statue of Eros in Piccadilly Circus in London was raised in his honour, though most people have forgotten this now.

[Tatty Rollox]

"What hast thou that thou hast not received". Drusilla's excellent answer well summarises the lifes work of Anthony Ashley-Cooper 7th Earl of Shaftesbury 1801 - 1885. There is a small picture of him here . "The Spirit of Christian Charity" (Eros) in fact is the figure which sits on top of the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain in Piccadilly Circus. There have been many Earl's of Shaftesbury but this is a memorial to the 7th Earl in particular. The fountain is made of brass, but Eros is made of aluminium which was a very unusual material for that time. The Memorial was unveiled in 1893, and there is a picture of Eros here .