Charity After Empire

‘Charity after Empire skilfully unravels the messy, complicated, ambivalent, classed, racialized and anti-racial histories of charities across new times from post 1945 to decolonisation and development. Stories of individuals and institutions, domestic political economy and the geo-political world, tell of the many agents engaged in shaping contemporary UK humanitarian sensibilities.’ Catherine Hall, author of Lucky Valley: Edward Long and the History of Racial Capitalism ‘A wonderfully thoughtful argument which takes the reader to unexpected destinations. The lucid prose takes the reader down many compelling by-ways, its conclusions staying in the mind. ‘Charity’ will never seem the same again. A marvellous book.’ Bill Schwarz, author of Memories of Empire ‘Matthew Hilton deftly weaves together narratives ranging from the global to the personal to produce a masterful account of British humanitarianism in the twentieth century. Deeply researched, incisive, and written in prose that is both accessible and erudite, Charity After Empire assumes a central place in the scholarship of humanitarianism, development, and post-imperial Britain.’ Agnieszka Sobocinska, author of Saving the World?: Western Volunteers and the Rise of the Humanitarian-Development Complex ‘Britain’s end of empire story appears in a whole new light in Charity After Empire, revealing the enduring entanglements of the humanitarian impulse at home and abroad. Matthew Hilton skilfully unpacks the moral world of faith, philanthropy, aid and everyday giving in the face of the twin challenges of decolonisation and development. A landmark study of remarkable breadth, vision, and narrative verve.’ Stuart Ward, author of Untied Kingdom: A Global History of the End of Britain