Giving: Charity and Philanthropy in HistoryTransaction Publishers - 241 pages "According to Greek mythology mankind's first benefactor was the Titan, Prometheus, who gave fire, previously the exclusive possession of the gods, to mortal man." With these words the esteemed scholar Robert Bremner presents the first full-fledged history of attitudes toward charity and philanthropy. "Giving "is a perfect complement to his earlier work "The Discovery of Poverty in the United States. "The word "philanthropy "has been translated in a variety of ways: as a loving human disposition, loving kindness, love of mankind, charity, fostering mortal man, championing mankind, and helping people. Bremner's book covers all of these meanings in rich detail. Bremner describes the ancient world and classical attitudes toward giving and begging; Middle Ages and early modern times, emphasizing hospitals and patients and donors and attributes of charity; the eighteenth century and the age of benevolence; the nineteenth century and the growth of the concept of public relief and social policy; and a careful multiple chapter review of the twentieth century. Bremner reviews the act of giving in such comparative contexts as London, England and Kasrilevke, Russia with such figures as Thomas Carlyle, Charles Dickens, and Sholem Aleichem, as well as the more familiar wealthy industrialist/philanthropists, forming part of the narrative. The final chapters bring the story up to date, discussing the relationships of modem philanthropy and organized charity, and the uses of philanthropy in education and the arts. Bremner has an astonishing knowledge of the cultural context and the economic contents of philanthropy. As a result, this volume is intriguing as well as important history, written with lively style and wit. Whether the reader is a professional in the so-called "third stream" or "independent sector," or simply a citizen wondering just what the act of giving and the spirit of receiving is all about, "Giving "will be compelling reading. |
From inside the book
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... person , it is worthwhile to make trial of many ungrateful ones . " The very uncertainty of gratitude , Seneca wrote , " may prompt you to become more charitable . For when the outcome of any under- taking is unsure , you must try again ...
... person impoverishes himself ( more often his estate ) by lavish gifts to the poor or the public for spite , whim , self - interest or other reasons having nothing to do with love of God or neighbors . St. Paul , the first great ...
... persons not a martyr to be venerated as a saint . His youthful act of charity in sharing what little he had with someone ... person ; if two or more people present themselves , none of whom has a greater need than the others and none a ...
... person who donates more than he can afford , or de- prives himself and gives to the charity collectors in order not to be embarrassed . Any collector who embarrasses and solicits such a per- son will eventually be punished , as it is ...
... person become self - supporting by a gift , loan , or en- tering into partnership with or providing work for him or her26 It is not hard to find contemporary examples of each of the eight degrees of charity . The highest and the four ...
Contents
5 | |
11 | |
23 | |
25 | |
Donors and Attributes of Charity | 35 |
God and Neighbor | 45 |
The World Is All Alike | 55 |
The Age of Benevolence | 57 |
Philanthropy and Reform | 121 |
Love and Kindness | 135 |
And May Not This Be? | 145 |
Paupers Tramps and Beggars | 147 |
Modern Philanthropy and Organized Charity | 159 |
Philanthropic Foundations and the Uses of Philanthropy in Higher Education and the Arts | 169 |
Giving by and for the Poor | 185 |
Current History Stories from Life | 199 |
Poets and Philanthropists | 71 |
Beggars Importunate and Long Rememberd | 85 |
If All Were as Happy as We | 95 |
Relief of Need | 99 |
The Good Samaritan Charles Dickens on Public Relief and Private Charity | 111 |
Afterword | 213 |
Bibliography | 219 |
Index | 235 |