Owen, Robert. The founder of socialism in England. Was born of poor parents in Newtown, Montgomeryshire, 1771. In 1800 he became owner of the New Lanark Cotton Factory, where he proceeded to put in practice his theories of a new system of society. He afterwards made unsuccessful attempts to establish communistic settlements at New Harmony in America (1825), and Harmony Hall in Hampshire (1844). To his efforts may be traced the first factory legislation, the cooperative movement, and the establishment of infant schools. Died 1858.

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