Robert Owen (1771-1858) was the founder of British socialism, and one of the most influential reformers in Britain and America in the first half of the 19th century. This book contains all Owen's key writings on the ideal community, socialism, religion, and the capitalist economic system.

Robert Owen (1771-1858) was the founder of British socialism, and one of the most influential reformers in Britain and America in the first half of the 19th century. He achieved early fame as manager of the most productive cotton mills of his time at New Lanark, near Glasgow, but dissatisfied with the effects of industry on the working classes, he attempted social and economic reform, finally arguing that all mankind should live in co-operative communities. By the 1840s he had a substantial following and model communities were founded at New Harmony, Indiana and Queenswood, Hampshire, among others. This book contains all Owen's key writings on the ideal community, socialism, religion, and the capitalist economic system.

Volume 1 Early Writings General Introduction, Observations on the Cotton Trade of Great Britain (1803), A Statement Regarding the New Lanark Establishment (1812), A New View of Society
or, Essays on the Principle of the Formation of Human Character (1813-14), Observations on the Effect of the Manufacturing System (1815), Address Delivered to the Inhabitants of New Lanark (1816), Peace on Earth - Good Will Towards Men! Development of the Plan for the Relief of the Poor (1817), Mr Owen's Report to the Committee of the Association for the Relief of the Manufacturing and Labouring Poor (1817), A Letter to the Earl of Liverpool on the Employment of Children in Manufactories (1818), Two Memorials on Behalf of the Working Class (1818), An Address to the Working Classes (1819), An Address to the Master Manufacturers of Great Britain on the Present Existing Evils of the Manufacturing System (1819)
Volume 2 The Development of Socialism Volume Introduction, Report to the County of Lanark (1821), An Attempt to Explain the Commercial and Other Difficulties Which are Now Experienced in the Civilised Parts of the World (1821), Permanent Relief for the British Agricultural and Manufacturing Labourers (1822), `The Social System' (New Harmony Gazette vol 2, 1825), Second Discourse on a New System of Society (1827), Oration Containing a Declaration of Mental Independence (1826), Memorial of Robert Owen to the Mexican Republic (1827), The New Religion (1830), Outline of the Rational System of Society (1830), Robert Owen's Reply to the Question `What Would You Do If You Were Prime Minister of England? (1832), The Charter of the Rights of Humanity (1834), Lectures on the Marriages of the Priesthood of the Old Immoral World (1838), The Catechism of the New Moral World (1838), The Development of the Principles and Plans on Which to Establish Self-Supporting Home Colonies (1841), Preliminary Charter of the Rational System (1843)
Volume 3 The Heyday of Owenism. Volume Introduction, The Book of the New Moral World (1836-44).
Volume 4 The Autobiography of Robert Owen (1858) Volume Introduction. General Index.