ABSTRACT
In more than one country sociology began to take shape before the academic world took an interest in it; indeed, at times it developed despite the antipathy of the academics. This is especially true of the early social survey in Britain and the statistical enquiry in Germany. The Evangelical-Social Congress, a religious organisation interested in social questions, was founded in 1891. As far as social surveys are concerned, enthusiasm for them did not wane, but was rather increased by A. L. Bowley's success. Thus in 1928 a new survey of London Life and Labour was started, directly inspired by Charles James Booth's work but now directed by a committee and centred on the London School of Economics and Political Science. Indeed, the New Survey covered a greater area than Booth's had done and accordingly a greater population.
