William Beveridge -

The Beveridge Report, 1942

An obscure report on 'Social Insurance and Allied Services' quickly became known as the Beveridge Report. It provided a much needed morale boost during the dark days of WW2. Driven by overwhelming public support, the Beveridge Report became the foundation on which Britain's Welfare State was built.

He proposed a system of social insurance and security financed by the state with contributions made by employers and employees from their pay. It offered a society where all citizens would have the right to be cared for by the State from 'cradle to grave'. A British revolution.

The Whitehall establishment disapproved of the way Beveridge published his report. Ironically they excluded him from working on his plan.