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Thomas Robert Malthus

(1766-1834), Political economist

Sitter in 4 portraits
The ideas of Thomas Malthus dominated social policy debates concerning poverty in the early nineteenth century and laid the foundations for scientific population studies. Malthus was an unknown curate when he anonymously published his controversial Essays on the Principle of Population (1798). He argued that progressive legislation would never succeed in bringing general happiness because poverty was a consequence of population growth. This challenged the assumptions of eighteenth century social theory which associated populousness with prosperity and national power. Malthus's opinions were instrumental in shaping the new Poor Law of 1834 though opposition to his perceived hardheartedness was great.

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Thomas Robert Malthus, by John Linnell - NPG D38173

Thomas Robert Malthus

by John Linnell
mezzotint, published 1 January 1834 (1833)
NPG D38173

Thomas Robert Malthus, by and published for John Linnell, published by  Dominic Charles Colnaghi - NPG D15408

Thomas Robert Malthus

by and published for John Linnell, published by Dominic Charles Colnaghi
mezzotint, published 1 January 1834 (1833)
NPG D15408

Thomas Robert Malthus, probably by Amable Nicolas Fournier, printed by  Drouart, after  John Linnell - NPG D13689

Thomas Robert Malthus

probably by Amable Nicolas Fournier, printed by Drouart, after John Linnell
stipple engraving, before 1861
NPG D13689

Thomas Robert Malthus, probably by Amable Nicolas Fournier, printed by  Drouart, after  John Linnell - NPG D18093

Thomas Robert Malthus

probably by Amable Nicolas Fournier, printed by Drouart, after John Linnell
stipple engraving, before 1861
NPG D18093

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