See also: Anthony Ashley-Cooper

Anthony Ashley-Cooper (1801, London - 1885), 7th Count de Shaftesbury, was a British Philanthrope, one of most known of the era victorienne.

Born with London, it makes its studies with the Harrow School, then with the Christ Church College with the Université of Oxford. In 1826, it becomes appointed then leader of the movement for the reform of the living conditions in the British factories. It contributes to the introduction of the Factory Act S of 1847 and 1853 as well as Coal Mines Act of 1842 and Lunacy Act of 1845. It is interested in protection of the children and in particular in their work conditions. He is president of the Ragged Schools Union and in favor of Florence Nightingale.

In 1893, a fountain, the Shaftesbury Memorial, is set up with Piccadilly Circus to commemorate the benefits of Lord Shaftesbury. The fountain is overhung of a statue of naked angel, the Ange of Christian charity , which with the passing of years will be comparable with Eros, divinity of the love among Greeks, and the name which remained. This statue of Alfred Gilbert one of very first is carried out in Aluminum. The nudity of the angel initially shocked, before becoming one of the icons of London. Nowadays, the British daily newspaper Evening Standard uses like logotype with the one of the newspaper an angel largely inspired by that of this fountain.

Lord Shaftesbury married with Lady Emily Caroline Catherine Frances Cowper (dead the October 15th 1872), girl of Peter Cowper, 5th count Cowper, with whom it had three children:

• Lady Victoria Ashley (dead the February 15th 1927), married to Harry Chichester, 2 baron Templemore with whom it had a descent.

• Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 8th count de Shaftesbury (June 27th 1831 - April 13rd 1886).
• Rt. Hon. Evelyn Melbourne Ashley (July 24th 1836 - November 15th 1907), married to Sybella Charlotte Farquhar with which it had a descent.

See too

• Count de Shaftesbury