Ian Hislop's Age Of The Do-Gooders(2010)

Ian Hislop's Age Of The Do-Gooders is a history series that rescues the reputation of 19th-century reformers Hislop believes transformed Britain. These activists—mocked as busybodies then and now—championed sweeping social change that reshaped the nation. Hislop argues they were extraordinary figures who built the modern Britain we inherit today, yet most have been forgotten compared to their era's royals, inventors, politicians and generals. The series examines how these unfashionable crusaders tackled the pressing issues of their time, from education and health to labour rights and poverty. Through Hislop's lens, the Do-Gooders emerge not as tedious moralists but as visionary agents of progress who deserve recognition for their lasting impact on British society.