Webb, Sidney and Beatrice, were British social reformers. The Webbs, husband and wife, were also noted historians of the labor movement that took place in Britain. Their activities led to reforms that aided the poor, strengthened the labor movement, and improved public education.
Sidney James Webb (1859-1947) was born in London. His father was a bookkeeper. In 1885, Sidney joined the Fabian Society, an organization of British socialists. Sidney remained one of its leaders for the rest of his life and helped make social research the society’s chief interest.
Beatrice Webb (1858-1943) was born into a wealthy and socially prominent family on an estate near Gloucester. Her maiden name was Martha Beatrice Potter. Her interest in social research brought her into contact with Sidney Webb, and they were married in 1892.
Sidney entered politics as a member of the London County Council in 1892. In the council, he helped reshape education programs in London. The Webbs took the lead in founding the London School of Economics and Political Science in 1895. Beatrice’s wealth enabled the couple to devote themselves to the study of the British labor movement. They wrote a number of pioneering books, notably The History of Trade Unionism (1894) and Industrial Democracy (1897).
From 1906 to 1909, Beatrice served on the Royal Commission on the Poor Law, which investigated poverty in Britain. She and Sidney wrote a minority report for the commission that called for passage of legislation that would guarantee a minimum standard of living for all citizens. In 1913, the Webbs established the New Statesman, a weekly periodical, to promote their socialist views.
Sidney became active in the Labour Party during World War I (1914-1918) and was elected to its executive committee. He prepared the statement in 1918 that first committed the party to socialism. In 1922, Sidney was elected to Parliament. He held Cabinet posts in Labour governments in 1924 and from 1929 to 1931.
During the 1920’s and 1930’s, Beatrice revised and edited the detailed diary she had kept since 1872. The resulting books, My Apprenticeship (1926) and Our Partnership (1948), form an eloquent record of the Webbs’ productive careers.
