ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the development of William Booth and his organisation from 1870 to 1890, the date of the publication of In Darkest England and the Way Out, outlining the proposal for his social scheme. It focuses on the major part played by the long-term poverty in the East End of London in bringing about the decision to launch such a scheme. The seeming permanence of poverty played a parallel role to that of the size of the residuum in 1865 in drawing Booth back to a focus on the poor. Because Booth was involved in high profile social issues he cannot be judged solely within the religious sphere and needs to be assessed in relation to others who were commenting on and tackling similar problems. The chapter examines the writings of two economists whom Booth claimed as influences. These were Robert Flint and W. H. Mallock.
