John Acland (author) facts for kids

John Acland (born around 1729, died August 14, 1795) was a church leader and a writer. He wrote a special booklet about helping poor people in England. His ideas were very forward-thinking, suggesting something like our modern national insurance system.

John Acland's Life Story

Early Life and Education

John Acland's father, also named John, was a church leader in a place called Broadclyst. He served there from 1730 until he passed away. Young John Acland followed in his father's footsteps.

He studied at Exeter College, Oxford, just like his father. In 1753, John Acland became the vicar (a type of church leader) for Broad Clyst.

Ideas for Helping People

In 1786, John Acland published an important booklet. It was called A Plan for rendering the Poor independent on Public Contributions. This long title basically means "A plan to make poor people not rely on charity."

Acland's plan was inspired by groups called "Friendly Societies" or "Clubs." These were early forms of community support where people paid small amounts regularly to help each other when they were sick or old.

A New Way to Help the Poor

Acland noticed that earlier laws meant to help these societies didn't work well. He wanted to create a better system. He suggested that the government should set up "one general club or society" for the whole country.

Here's how his plan would work:

• Most adults who earned a certain amount of money would have to pay into this fund.
• This money would then help people who were sick, elderly, or out of work.
• Acland believed this system would slowly get rid of poverty.
• People receiving help would feel like they were part of a big, helpful society, not just getting charity.

Impact of His Plan

Acland's ideas gained a lot of attention. At the time, many people were worried about the rising costs of helping the poor. In 1787, a bill (a proposed law) based on Acland's plan was brought to the House of Commons. However, it did not become a law.

Other Writings and Death

John Acland also wrote another booklet. This one argued against Edward King's ideas about the national debt. The Gentleman's Magazine, a publication from that time, mentioned this booklet positively.

John Acland passed away on August 14, 1795, after being ill for a long time.