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Anthony Ashley Cooper, the Seventh Earl of Shaftesbury, was born in 1801. The eldest son, he inherited all the trappings of an aristocratic estate. But he was not content to enjoy comfort and privilege in the knowledge of suffering and injustice. Most famous for his ground-breaking involvement in social reform, Shaftesbury campaigned tirelessly to improve the conditions of mental health patients, factory workers, and child labourers. In this new biography - the first in over twenty years - Richard Turnbull insightfully explores the beliefs underlying Shaftesbury's passion for the poor. Drawing extensively from Shaftesbury's private journals, we see not just the story of his life - from his happy marriage and many children to his Acts of Parliament - but how his faith led and equipped him to fight for justice in society. This portrait reveals a sensitive thinker, shining new light on one of Britain's most celebrated figures.