Front cover: 'The best account of the famous New Lanark mills' Gregory Claeys, University of London Back cover: 'An admirably concise, readable and informative introduction which provides the best account available of the famous New Lanark mills.' Gregory Claeys, Professor of Political Thought, Royal Holloway, University of London This updated edition, now published in the Edinburgh Classic Editions series, is the definitive account of the most famous of Scotland's pioneering social projects. New Lanark, the former cotton-spinning village, is internationally renowned for pioneering technology and social change in the Industrial Revolution. This book traces the community's history from its conception as a centre of mass production in 1785 to its present-day standing as a World Heritage Site. Beginning with New Lanark's early development under its creator, the banker and textile entrepreneur David Dale (1739¬‒1806), it looks at the social conditions of the mainly migrant workforce recruited to the village, and especially at the use of child labour from the cities. Detailing Robert Owen's social and educational experiments at New Lanark (1813‒25), it describes how the community became a showpiece around the world for its 'New System' of society. After Owen's departure for New Harmony in Indiana, the book charts the relative decline of the mills under a succession of owners - the Walkers, the Birkmyres and the Gourock Ropework Company. The book concludes with the story of closure and long-term restoration as a living village, major tourist attraction and inception as a World Heritage Site. It is a fascinating read for anyone interested in heritage, conservation and social and community history. Ian Donnachie, Emeritus Professor of History at The Open University, is the author of the biography Robert Owen: Social Visionary (2005). George Hewitt has lectured in Glasgow and also taught for The Open University and the University of Dundee. They have worked on several joint projects, including a Companion to Scottish History (2007). Cover image (c) New Lanark Trust. Edinburgh University Press acknowledges the New Lanark Trust for its kind support and generous supply of illustrations during preparation of this new edition. Cover design: [EUP logo] [...]