Octavia Hill était une réformatrice sociale anglaise dévouée à l'amélioration de la vie des citadins, en particulier à Londres durant la seconde moitié du XIXe siècle. Surmontant des difficultés financières personnelles, elle a défendu l'autosuffisance et la connexion personnelle au sein de ses initiatives de logement social, croyant en l'autonomisation des individus. Hill a également plaidé avec ferveur pour la préservation des espaces ouverts pour le public et a joué un rôle déterminant dans la fondation du National Trust, garantissant que la beauté naturelle et les sites historiques soient accessibles aux générations futures.
In this short essay, Hill sets out a clear, concise argument for public access to parks, and argues for the rights we now take for granted. Our Common Land is a forgotten part of our cultural history, and demonstrates exactly why the founders of the National Trust thought it was so important to preserve ancient buildings and estates for the public.
Focusing on urban poverty and housing conditions in Victorian London, this landmark work by Octavia Hill provides a detailed examination of the struggles faced by the city's working-class residents. Through thorough research and personal accounts, Hill highlights the dire living situations in tenements and advocates for slum clearance and improved sanitation. Her passionate commitment to social justice urges society to address systemic injustices, inspiring future activists and policymakers to pursue housing reform and equality. The book serves as a powerful call to action for compassion and solidarity in combating poverty.