Alsager Hill

Alsager Hay Hill (1 October 1839 – 2 August 1906) was an English social reformer active during the late 19th century, influential on poor law reform and employment issues. He founded one of the first labour exchanges and, in 1871, a newspaper, Labour News, that is still published today as Construction News.

Early life Hill was born at Gressenhall Hall in Norfolk, the second son in a family of five sons and six daughters of John David Hay Hill, lord of the manor of Gressenhall, and Margaret (second daughter of the hop merchant and former MP for Cashel, Ebenezer John Collett).

Hill was educated at Brighton College (1850–54) and at Cheltenham College (1854–57).

Social reform He joined the south-eastern circuit, but soon devoted his energies to journalism and to literature, interesting himself especially in poor law and labour questions, and working as almoner to the Society for the Relief of Distress in the East of London. recognising the potential benefits of education on relieving poverty.

Hill was a pioneer of the system of labour exchanges in England, and in 1871 established in Greek Street, Soho, 'The Employment Inquiry Office and Labour Registry,' which was subsequently transferred to 15 Russell Street, Covent Garden, as the 'Central Labour Exchange, Employment, Emigration, and Industrial Intelligence Office.'

From 1877 onwards Hill also edited The Industrial Handbook and superintended the publication in 1881 of The Industrial Index to London, by H. Llewelyn Williams, as well as Business Aspects of Ladies' Work.

Hill was honorary secretary of the council until July 1870, and remained an active member of the council until 1880.

Hill suffered from ill health and poverty in his later years, living in retirement at Boston, Lincolnshire. He died there unmarried on 2 August 1906, and was buried at Gressenhall.