Owen became known as a utopian socialist and his works reflect this attitude. Although he could be considered a member of the bourgeoisie, his relationship with that class was often complicated. He fought to pass laws that benefited workers. He was a supporter of the Factory Act of 1819.[citation needed] He supported socialist ideas, so his views had no immediate impact in Britain or the United States. [35]
Eight-hour day
Robert Owen (/ˈoʊɪn/; 14 May 1771 – 17 November 1858) was a Welsh textile manufacturer, philanthropist and social reformer, as well as a founder of utopian socialism and the cooperative movement. He sought to improve working conditions in factories, promoted experimental socialist communities, and sought a more collective approach to child-rearing, including state control of education. [1] He gained wealth in the early 19th century through a textile factory in New Lanark, Scotland.
Owen called for an eight-hour day in 1810 and set about introducing this arrangement in New Lanark. By 1817 he had formulated the goal of an eight-hour working day with the slogan “Eight hours of work, eight hours of rest, eight hours of rest” (source: Wikipedia).