A philanthropist is defined as "one who makes an active effort to promote human welfare." This definition applies to a host of Victorians who set out to make the world a better place for their fellow man - or fellow creatures. Many of the good works accomplished by Victorian philanthropists resonate to this day.

Auchmuty, Col. Richard T.

A True Friend of the American Working-Man (Century Magazine, 1893B)

On the death of Col. Auchmuty, whose "crowning work" was the "establishing and building up of the New York Trade Schools."

Bacon, Leonard

A Good Fight Finished (Century Magazine, 1883A)

Writer, preacher and abolitionist.

Barnardo, Dr., FRCS

Dr. Barnardo, FRCS - Illustrated Interviews, by Harry How (The Strand, 1893A)

Founder of homes for orphans and the destitute.

Beecher, Henry Ward

Beecher at Liverpool, by J.M. Buckley (Century Magazine, 1889A)

An American Congregationalist clergyman, social reformer, and speaker, known for his support of the abolition of slavery.

The Last Manuscript of Henry Ward Beecher, by Henry Ward Beecher (Century Magazine, 1889A)

Mr. Beecher as I Knew Him, by Mrs. Henry Ward Beecher (Ladies' Home Journal, 1892)

Bergh, Henry

Henry Bergh and His Work (Scribners, 1879A)

Henry Bergh (1813-1888) founded the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) in April, 1866 and also prompted the formation, in 1874, of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC). - Wikipedia

Burdett-Coutts, Baroness

Baroness Burdett-Coutts - Illustrated Interviews, by Mary Spencer-Warren (The Strand, 1894A)

Burdett-Coutts spent the majority of her wealth on scholarships, endowments, and a wide range of philanthropic causes. One of her earliest philanthropic acts was to co-found (with Charles Dickens) a home for young women who had "turned to a life of immorality," including theft and prostitution. The home was known as Urania Cottage. - Wikipedia

Buxton, Sir Thomas Fowell

Stirring Scenes in Stirring Lives: Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, by W.G. Blaikie (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1886)

As an MP he worked for changes in prison conditions and criminal law and for the abolition of slavery. He also opposed capital punishment and pushed for its abolition. - Wikipedia

Chadwick, Edwin

Edwin Chadwick, Esq. (Cassell's Family Paper,, 1860)

An English social reformer noted for his work to reform the Poor Laws and to improve sanitary conditions and public health.

D'Istria, Dora

Dora D'Istria (Scribners, 1879A)

Helen Ghika, the Wallachian Princess Massalsky. "As an authoress, philanthropist, traveler, artist, and one of the strongest advocates of freedom and liberty for the oppressed of both sexes, and of her suffering sisters especially, she is an honor to the time and to womanhood."

Faithfull, Miss Emily

Miss Emily Faithfull (Demorest, 1873)

British author, lecturer and philanthropist. "She took a great interest in the conditions of working-women. With the object of extending their sphere of labour, which was then very limited, in 1860 she set up in London a printing establishment for women, called The Victoria Press." - Wikipedia

Forster, William Edward

William Edward Forster, Statesman and Philanthropist (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1888)

A politician involved in Parliamentary reform and education.

Gilbert, Bessie

Bessie Gilbert, by Alice King (Girl's Own Paper, 1892)

"This blind woman...determined that...blind men and women should be enabled to take a reasonable, active place in the community, and to live by the work of their own brains or hands."

Glass, Joseph

Joseph Glass, the Climbing Boys' Advocate (Leisure Hour, 1868)

In 1827, on behalf of the Society for the Suppression of Climbing-Boys (chimney-sweeps), Glass developed a chimney-sweeping machine. "The cruelty in the practice of employing young children in sweeping chimneys was beginning to be recognized." Despite opposition, the machine triumphed, and in 1840 an Act was passed for the Regulation of Chimneys and Chimney Sweepers, outlawing the use of children.

Jones, Agnes

Agnes Jones (Girl's Own Paper, 1885)

According to Florence Nightingale, "This young lady in less than three years reduced one of the most disorderly workhouse populations to something like Christian discipline... She inspired 50 nurses and probationers with her own admirable spirit...she converted the Poor Law Board to her views...and won the hearts of the paupers."

Kingsley, Charles

Charles Kingsley, by Mrs. L.F. Lewis (Demorest, 1879)

Author, philanthropist, historian and clergyman.

Kyrle, John

The Man of Ross (Leisure Hour, 1860)

"In everything that concerned the welfare of the small town of Ross in which he lived he took a lively interest; in the education of the children and in improving and embellishing the town." - Wikipedia

Lawson, Sir Wilfrid

On the Stump for the Pump, by Sir Wilfrid Lawson (The Strand, 1891A)

The author discusses his 30 years of "stumping" for the temperance movement.

Livesey, Joseph

The Father of Teetolism, by Rev. Frederic Wagstaff (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1882)

Livingstone, David

Dr. Livingstone (Leisure Hour, 1868)

The Last Journals of David Livingstone (Harper's Monthly, 1875A)

Stirring Scenes in Stirring Lives: David Livingstone, by W.G. Blaikie (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1886)

Livingstone's Mother and Wife (Girl's Own Paper, 1888)

The Heart of Dr. Livingstone (Century Magazine, 1895B)

Pictures of a tree in Africa with a memorial to Dr. Livingstone carved into it.

Marsden, Kate

Kate Marsden and Her Mission to Russia and Siberia, by Emma Brewer (Girl's Own Paper, 1891)

Writer, explorer, and nurse. "This wonderful and dangerous mission... is to travel through Russia up to the remote parts of Siberia to see for herself the condition of the lepers...and to find some means of alleviating their misery and improving their physical condition..."

Mason, Josiah

A Millionaire Philanthropist (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1881)

Founder of an orphanage, a college, a dispensary, an almshouse and more.

More, Hannah

Some Memorials of Hannah More, by Rose Bourdillon (Girl's Own Paper, 1896)

Educator, writer, reformer and abolitionist. "Everyone has heard how this gifted woman, having moved conspicuously in the best and most intellectual London society during the middle of the last century, gave up her life henceforth to bettering the condition, physical and moral, of the people in the villages round about Wrington."

Nightingale, Florence

Florence Nightingale's Book (Godey's, 1860)

The Early Home of Florence Nightingale, by Edward Bradbury (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1885)

Lea Hurst in Derbyshire.

Ramabai Sarasvati, Pundita

Pundita Ramabai Sarasvati, by Emily J. Bryant (Century Magazine, 1887B)

Pundita Ramabai, by Elizabeth Porter Gould (Century Magazine, 1890A)

A Hindu woman who founded a school for women and girls in Bombay.

Rossiter, William

Art and Literature for the People: An Interview with Mr. William Rossiter (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1888)

The founder of free libraries.

Shaftesbury, Lord

"I Once Knew an Earl:" A Girl's Grateful Memories of the Late Lord Shaftesbury, by H.A. M'Caul (Girl's Own Paper, 1886)

He was known as the reforming Lord Shaftesbury in the 19th century, who fought for the abolition of slavery. - Wikipedia

Smyth, Dr.

Dr. Smyth of Donegal (Good Words, 1902)

An Irish doctor famous for caring for typhus patients.

Van der Kamp, Dr. Theodore

Dr. Van der Kamp (Leisure Hour, 1860)

A military officer, doctor and philosopher who became a missionary in South Africa and was active in gaining improved rights for the native population.

Walther, Madame Andre

A Beautiful Old Lady (Girl's Own Paper, 1889)

In memory of a charitable French noblewoman.

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The Silent Forces of America, by Maynard Butler (Windsor Magazine, 1897B)

A look at a number of American philanthropists and their work.

Gentlewomen Who Devote Their Lives to the Poor (Girl's Own Paper, 1898)

Lady Louisa Ashburton; The Misses Skinner, friends to girls in business; Mrs. Elizabeth Fry, pioneer prison-visitor; Mrs. Starey, assistant to the blind; Baroness Burdett-Coutts; Miss MacPherson.

• See also Social Issues, Causes & Reforms