Life and Times of Sidney and Beatrice Webb

ROYDEN J. HARRISON is Emeritus Professor of Social History at the University of Warwick. He is among the leading scholars in labour history. His previous books include Before the Socialists, Studies in Labour and Politics, 1861-1881, Industrial Decline in Historical Perspective, The English Defence of the Commune and he is co-editor with J. Zeitlin of Divisions of Labour. He has been a regular contributor to The Political Quarterly, International Review of Social History and many other leading journals. He was previously senior lecturer at the University of Sheffield and has been Visiting Professor at University of Wisconsin, Madison, McMaster University, Ontario and Keio University, Tokyo.

'his undoubted masterpiece...a remarkable feat of detailed research and objective judgement.' - The Times 'Harrison's writing is masterly, without being heavy, his comment is always profound and often very witty.' - The Spokesman 'A fine biography of two socialist stars and what passes for a history of socialism...it is worth every penny...his foray into biography is also a resounding success...' - Paul Foot, The Guardian online 'Harrison's The Life and Times is a fine book, a notable addition to the riches of our socialist library. Its powerful message shows how partners can act together and how, indeed, they will be needed to save our stricken world.' - New Statesman 'A terrific book...' - Professor Eric Hobsbawm 'It places in the shade all other scholarship on the Webbs...' - Richard A. Rempel, Russell: The Journal of Bertrand Russell Studies

• Abbreviations Introduction PART 1: THE MAN WITH NO INSIDE: SIDNEY WEBB 1859-1890 The Shaping of a Professional Man 1859-1885 The Prevailing Fabian 1885-1890 PART 2: THE DIVIDED SELF: BEATRICE POTTER 1858-1890 The Making of a Gilded Spinster 1858-1885 From Social Investigator to Socialist 1885-1890 Note: Beatrice Potter Versus Beatrice Webb: Towards an Autocritique PART 3: THE EARLY YEARS OF THE PARTNERSHIP 1890-1903 The Formation of the Partnership 1890-92 Democracy and the Labour Movement 1890-1900 Heroic Opportunism: Towards a Third Culture and Education in London 1893-1905 Squalid Opportunism: Fabianism and Empire 1893-1903 PART 4: EPILOGUE An Ideal Marriage? Select Bibliography Index