'One of England's Social Reformers' - Encyclopaedia Britannica 2002

Ashley Anthony Cooper who later became Lord Shaftesbury was born in London in 1801. At 25 he entered the British Parliament where he served for 58 years. 

Young Ashley did not enjoy a happy childhood in the mansion where he lived. He was often cold and hungry. When sent to boarding school at seven he was bullied and treated cruelly. On returning home onloy a lady servant showed friendliness and taught Ashley a prayer and Bible stories.

Finding a five year old boy chimney sweep he pledged total abolition of young children in industry. In coal mines some worked on hands and knees towing and pushing heavy baskets of coal along shafts too low for pit ponies. He succeeded in having laws made to prevent children and women working in mines and factory workers hours reduced from 14 to 10 daily.

And thanks to Lord Shaftesbury children sweeping under bridges were educated free. Lord Shaftesbury studied the Bible daily aiming to live by the highest standards taught in its pages. A biographer wrote 'he wanted children to know the love of God and the hope of heaven'. He became President of the Bible Society.

He was a true friend of unwanted street kids. When he spoke to 400 young thieves one told him, "We must steal to buy food."

One one occasion two boys struggled up the steps of his London home, dropped a sack, pulled the doorbell and ran. Inside the sack was a gold watch belonging to Lord Shaftesbury plus the startled young thief.

On his death aged 84 in 1885, poor people honoured his life of practical Christian care to the destitute in Victorian England, by erecting a monument of Eros (signifying love), in Piccadilly Square, London.