Richard Morris Titmuss
- Born:
- October 16, 1900, Lemsford, Hertfordshire, England
- Died:
- April 6, 1973, London, England
- Nationality:
- British
- Profession(s):
- Social Researcher, Sociologist, Social Administrator
Early Life and Education
- Largely self-educated, leaving school at the age of 14.
- Worked in a family insurance business.
- Developed a keen interest in social issues and economics during the interwar period.
Career and Major Achievements
- Served in the British Army during World War II, researching social and demographic trends.
- Appointed Professor of Social Administration at the London School of Economics (LSE) in 1950, a position he held until his death.
- Pioneered the field of social administration as an academic discipline.
- Advocated for universal welfare state provisions and challenged selective, means-tested approaches.
- His work significantly influenced social policy in Britain and internationally.
Notable Works
- Poverty and Population (1938)
- Problems of Social Policy (1950)
- Essays on the Welfare State (1958)
- Income Distribution and Social Change (1962)
- The Gift Relationship: From Human Blood to Social Policy (1970) - Richard Titmuss's most famous work, analyzing and contrasting the voluntary blood donation system in Britain with the commercial system in the United States, arguing for the moral and social superiority of the former.
- Social Policy: An Introduction (1974, posthumously published)
Legacy and Impact
Richard Titmuss's work remains highly influential in social policy, sociology, and social work. His research on the welfare state, inequality, and altruism continues to be debated and informs contemporary policy discussions. He is remembered for his commitment to social justice and his rigorous analysis of social problems.