Celebrating Robert Owen in 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
Robert Owen (1771-1858) is often held to be the inspiration behind modern, organised co-operativism and organised labour. 2008 is the 150th anniversary of his death and there are events planned around the year.
Robert Owen was born in Newtown, Montgomeryshire on 14 May 1771. The son of a saddler and ironmonger, by 21 he was the manager of a Manchester cotton mill employing 500 workers and already engaging in the debates of the day. In 1794, Owen and partners formed the Chorlton Twist Company and in 1799, Owen and his partners purchased the New Lanark Mills in Scotland. He aimed to create better working conditions for his employees from the start. He left New Lanark in 1825 and developed co-operative communities, first in New Harmony in the USA and then later at Queenwood in Hampshire. Neither was successful, but Owen continued to promote his ideas through his writings and lectures, supported by figures like William King. Owen died in Newtown in 1858.
Last month an exhibition was launched at the Welsh Assembly with the support of Labour Co-operative Assembly Members. The exhibition will tour Wales through the year. And as well as Owen's native Wales, events at New Lanark in Scotland are planned (a World Heritage Site and a great place to visit at any time). Foremost amongst these is the conference of the Society for Co-operative Studies in September where co-operative academics will gather to share new papers on Owen's history and his legacy.
Robert Owen was born in Newtown, Montgomeryshire on 14 May 1771. The son of a saddler and ironmonger, by 21 he was the manager of a Manchester cotton mill employing 500 workers and already engaging in the debates of the day. In 1794, Owen and partners formed the Chorlton Twist Company and in 1799, Owen and his partners purchased the New Lanark Mills in Scotland. He aimed to create better working conditions for his employees from the start. He left New Lanark in 1825 and developed co-operative communities, first in New Harmony in the USA and then later at Queenwood in Hampshire. Neither was successful, but Owen continued to promote his ideas through his writings and lectures, supported by figures like William King. Owen died in Newtown in 1858.
Last month an exhibition was launched at the Welsh Assembly with the support of Labour Co-operative Assembly Members. The exhibition will tour Wales through the year. And as well as Owen's native Wales, events at New Lanark in Scotland are planned (a World Heritage Site and a great place to visit at any time). Foremost amongst these is the conference of the Society for Co-operative Studies in September where co-operative academics will gather to share new papers on Owen's history and his legacy.
Labels: co-operativism, history, New Lanark, Robert Owen, Wales
