Address Delivered to the Inhabitants of New Lanark, on January 1st, 1816, On the Opening of the Institution Established for the Formation of Character (London: Hatchard, 1816)

Robert Owen's 1816 address at New Lanark unveiled a vision for social reform rooted in the rejection of unchecked capitalism, established religions, and private property. This 'millennialist moment' marked the opening of the Institute for the Formation of Character, a pioneering educational center that included nursery and evening schools, a library, and a non-denominational chapel. Owen's program aimed to foster lifelong learning and harmonious community feeling, challenging conventional societal structures. The address also introduced new purposes, expanding on his 'New View of Society' philosophy, which sought to improve the conditions of factory village inhabitants through systematic education and social cohesion.

Owen, R. (2020). Address Delivered to the Inhabitants of New Lanark, on January 1st, 1816, On the Opening of the Institution Established for the Formation of Character (London: Hatchard, 1816). Contemporary Thought on Nineteenth Century Socialism, 57–78. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429452376-12