Octavia Hill è stata una riformatrice sociale inglese dedicata a migliorare la vita degli abitanti urbani, in particolare a Londra durante la seconda metà del XIX secolo. Superando difficoltà finanziarie personali, promosse l'autosufficienza e la connessione personale nelle sue iniziative di edilizia sociale, credendo nel potenziamento degli individui. Hill sostenne anche con fermezza la conservazione degli spazi aperti per il pubblico e fu determinante nella fondazione del National Trust, garantendo che la bellezza naturale e i siti storici fossero accessibili alle generazioni future.
In this short essay, Hill sets out a clear, concise argument for public access to parks, and argues for the rights we now take for granted. Our Common Land is a forgotten part of our cultural history, and demonstrates exactly why the founders of the National Trust thought it was so important to preserve ancient buildings and estates for the public.
Focusing on urban poverty and housing conditions in Victorian London, this landmark work by Octavia Hill provides a detailed examination of the struggles faced by the city's working-class residents. Through thorough research and personal accounts, Hill highlights the dire living situations in tenements and advocates for slum clearance and improved sanitation. Her passionate commitment to social justice urges society to address systemic injustices, inspiring future activists and policymakers to pursue housing reform and equality. The book serves as a powerful call to action for compassion and solidarity in combating poverty.