Chris Renwick est un historien spécialisé dans la Grande-Bretagne depuis le début du XIXe siècle. Son domaine d'expertise principal est la relation entre la biologie, les sciences sociales et la politique, en particulier comment l'interaction des trois a façonné la manière dont nous pensons, étudions et gouvernons la société. Ses travaux sur ces sujets ont reçu une reconnaissance internationale et interdisciplinaire.
Exploring the intellectual origins of British sociology, this book uncovers previously unknown archival resources that highlight the field's connections to late nineteenth and early twentieth-century biological debates. By revealing these forgotten roots, it sheds light on the evolution of sociology and its future possibilities, offering a fresh perspective on how historical discussions have shaped contemporary sociological thought.
"This ... new history tells the story of one [of] the greatest transformations in British intellectual, social and political life: the creation of the welfare state, from the Victorian workhouse, where you had to be destitute to receive help, to a moment just after the Second World War, when government embraced responsibility for people's housing, education, health and family life, a commitment that was unimaginable just a century earlier. Though these changes were driven by developments in different and sometimes unexpected currents in British life, they were linked by one over-arching idea: that through rational and purposeful intervention, government can remake society. It was an idea that, during the early twentieth century, came to inspire people across the political spectrum."--Jacket