Ragged Trousers

The Book

The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists is a seminal socialist novel written by Robert Tressell published posthumously in 1914. The story is set in the fictional town of Mugsborough and follows a group of working class painters and decorators struggling with poverty, unemployment and exploitation. The novel offers a sharp critique exposing how the working class is systematically oppressed by the capitalist system. 

Through the character Frank Owen, a passionate socialist, Tressell advocates for workers’ solidarity and the establishment of a co-operative commonwealth to replace the exploitative economic system. The narrative vividly portrays the harsh realities of working class life in early 20th century England placing emphasis on themes of social injustice, economic inequality and the moral contradictions of philanthropy that benefits the rich while the poor suffer.

A key feature of the book is the famous "money trick" through which Frank Owen uses bread, knives, and coins to demonstrate how workers create all the wealth but are paid less than the value of their labour, so keeping them in poverty while employers get richer.  

The book was adapted for radio in 1989 by BBC Radio 4 in a six-part series, and for the stage by Howard Brenton. The latter adaption has been performed in Liverpool including at the Everyman Theatre.

The Author

Robert Tressell was born Robert Croker, the illegitimate son of Samuel Croker and Mary Noonan, on 17 April 1870 in Dublin. He later adopted his mother's maiden name becoming known as Robert Noonan. His pen name, Robert Tressell, was chosen to honour his trade as a house painter and sign writer. 

He spent much of his adult life working as a painter and decorator. Tressell was deeply influenced by socialist ideas and was active in labour movements. He wrote The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists based on his own experiences and observations of working class hardship.

Tressell lived in Liverpool (Queen's Road) from 1890 later spending a decade in South Africa then returning to England where he resided in Hastings for several years before heading back to Liverpool around 1910. He died of tuberculosis on 3 February 1911 at the Liverpool Royal Infirmary.

There is also a commemorative plaque in Pembroke Place, Liverpool honouring his legacy as the author of The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists and his contribution to literature and political thought.

If you never got round to reading the book you can click here to download a free ebook version from Project Gutenberg

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