Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury (1801–1885) was a prominent British aristocrat, Tory politician, and dedicated philanthropist. Known as the "Poor Man's Earl," he utilized his position in the House of Lords to advocate for the vulnerable. His lifelong commitment to social reform focused on improving working conditions, reforming lunacy laws, and restricting child labor. As a leading figure in the evangelical movement within the Church of England, his activism was deeply rooted in his Christian faith, which guided his efforts to address systemic poverty and injustice throughout the Victorian era.