Spencean Philanthropists
Preserved but no longer current.
Disciples of Thomas Spence (1750-1814) who, in 1775, devised a system of land nationalization. The inhabitants of each parish would form a corporation and appoint local officials to collect rents, deduct expenses, and divide what was left among the parishioners. No tax or toll would be required beyond the rent. A day of rest would be allowed every five days.
Era: ca. 1898 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Reproduced from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898 edition, public domain; archive.org, retrieved 2026-07-31; OCR text, minor errors possible). Reflects the scholarship and attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “Spencean Philanthropists” mean?
Disciples of Thomas Spence (1750-1814) who, in 1775, devised a system of land nationalization. The inhabitants of each parish would form a corporation and appoint local officials to collect rents, deduct expenses, and divide what was left among the parishioners. No tax or toll would be required beyond the rent. A day of rest would be allowed every five days.
Is “Spencean Philanthropists” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.