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A Bourgeois Duty: Philanthropy, 1896-1919

As the population increases and cities industrialize in the 19th century, extreme poverty and illness are serious urban problems. Most of the social services formed to deal with them are created by philanthropists, not the government. Philanthropy is usually associated with upper- or middle-class citizens providing aid to the poor, the sick or the otherwise needy by donating money, organizing charities or creating foundations. Philanthropists also advance many other causes, including hospitals, universities, museums, public health and reform movements, such as temperance and animal protection.

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