Beatrice Webb was an English Economist and Social Reformer.
Webb was one of the co-founders of the London School of Economics and, with her cousin Charles Booth, conducted an important survey of Victorian slums. She was responsible for the publication of the "Minority Report" which called for radical changes to the existing Poor Law.
Webb's experience was not just theoretical as she had worked for Katherine Buildings (part of the social housing of the day) as a rent collector.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minority_report_(Poor_Law)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/feb/19/beatrice-webb-tribute