Poor Law Guardians

Poor Law Guardians were local officials responsible for managing relief for impoverished people in 19th-century England. Appointed by local communities, they oversaw workhouses and distributed aid to those in need, aiming to reduce poverty and prevent reliance on informal charity. Their role was to ensure the effective and cost-efficient administration of poor relief, often balancing compassion with the need to control public expenditure. Guardians played a key part in the government’s efforts to address poverty through structured, local governance during the period of the Poor Laws.