Famous Social Reformers - List of Famous Social Reformers

Where would the human society be today had it not been for the several thousands of social reformers all over the world, who since the beginning of civilization have strived to make the world a better place? Social reformers advocate reforms and play a key role in the development of society and nation building. The human society is not perfect and the social norms and conditions that are ingrained into the structure of the society are often biased against certain sections of the society. People who are distressed by the malpractices and injustices in the society and strive to bring about a change are the social reformers. A reform movement led by social activists aims to bring about a gradual change in the society by bringing about awareness about the issues in hand. Every country has its own stories about the atrocities meted out to certain segments of its population and the brave men and women who dared to question the authoritative society in their fight for their basic rights. Abolitionists, feminists, civil rights activists, environmentalists, and gay rights activists are all the social reformers who have helped to make the society a more equitable and civilized place. Read on to learn more about the social reformers who changed the society for the better.

The Most Famous Social Reformers

NameBirthdayNationalityBio
Granville SharpNovember 10, 1735BritishGranville Sharp was a social reformer and a leading British abolitionist
Vinoba BhaveSeptember 11, 1895IndianVinoba Bhave was Gandhi’s spiritual successor and advocator of nonviolence and human rights
James OglethorpeDecember 22, 1696BritishJames Edward Oglethorpe was a British general and social reformer who founded the colony of Georgia
Lucretia MottJanuary 3, 1793AmericanLucretia Mott was an American abolitionist, social reformer and a women's rights activist
Mahadev Govind RanadeJanuary 18, 1842IndianMahadev Govind Ranade was an Indian social reformer, a distinguished scholar and founding member of Indian National Congress
Ishwar Chandra VidyasagarSeptember 26, 1820IndianIshwar Chandra Vidyasagar was an Indian polymath and a social reformer
Jane AddamsSeptember 6, 1860AmericanJane Addams was an American social and political activist, who worked especially for the welfare of women and children
Harriet Tubman1820AmericanHarriet Tubman was an African American abolitionist who led hundreds of enslaved blacks to freedom
Dadabhai NaorojiSeptember 4, 1825IndianKnown as the Grand Old Man of India, Dadabhai Naoroji was an educator, social reformer and an important political leader
Dorothea DixApril 4, 1802AmericanDorothea Dix was an American social reformer who worked for the betterment of the life of the insane
Bindeshwar Pathak

Bindeshwar Pathak

Bindeshwar Pathak is an Indian social reformer who founded Sulabh International

IndianApril 2, 1943107 views

Dhondo Keshav Karve

Dhondo Keshav Karve was an eminent Indian social reformer and educator who championed the cause of women education and remarriage of Hindu widows

IndianApril 18, 1858168 views

James Oglethorpe

James Edward Oglethorpe was a British general and social reformer who founded the colony of Georgia

BritishDecember 22, 1696223 views

Granville Sharp

Granville Sharp was a social reformer and a leading British abolitionist

BritishNovember 10, 1735239 views

Josephine Butler

Josephine Butler was a British social reformer and feminist who campaigned for the betterment of socially deprived and outcast women

BritishApril 13, 1828154 views

William Beveridge

William Beveridge was a British social reformer and economist who came into prominence for his 1942 Beveridge Report

BritishMarch 5, 1879170 views

Caroline Norton

Caroline Norton was a significant literary figure and social reformer of the Victorian era

BritishMarch 22, 180894 views

Mahadev Govind Ranade

Mahadev Govind Ranade was an Indian social reformer, a distinguished scholar and founding member of Indian National Congress

IndianJanuary 18, 1842215 views

Dorothea Dix

Dorothea Dix was an American social reformer who worked for the betterment of the life of the insane

AmericanApril 4, 1802180 views

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was an Indian polymath and a social reformer

IndianSeptember 26, 1820210 views