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Robert Owen was a factory owner who wanted to improve the health and well-being of his workers. His ideas made him world famous and influenced a better society.

Who was he?

• Robert was born in Wales on 14 May 1771.
• He left school aged ten to train as a draper or cloth merchant ( a merchant is someone who trades in goods made by other people). A draper's shop would sell cloth for people to buy and make their own clothing.
• At 21 he was managing a cotton mill in Manchester.
• Owen saw working people had a very hard life and thought they would work more productively if they had better welfare and were happier.
• At New Lanark mill in Scotland he gave workers shorter days, free healthcare and education from childhood to adulthood.
• His belief in improving the lives of workers helped improve conditions in workplaces all over the world.
• He later moved to America to start up new working communities.
• Robert Owen died in Wales on 17 November 1858 aged 87.

Why is Owen so important?

Owen believed working people deserved kinder treatment. He thought if all people had a better quality of life, it would create a better, happier society.

To make workers' lives better Owen introduced the following ideas at New Lanark:

• Free education system for everyone including:
• A creche for working mothers
• The first infant school in the world
• A school for children with enjoyable lessons and no punishments!
• Evening classes and lectures for adults
• Free medical care
• Children under 10 were not allowed to work in the mill.
• The village shop became the model for cooperatives, offering cheaper goods for workers with profits going back into the community.
• Shorter working days
• Leisure and recreation - free concerts, dancing, music-making and pleasant outdoor space

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