Additional information
by Jane Addams (Author)
First published in 1910, Twenty Years at Hull-House is Jane Addams' account of the founding and development of the pioneering social settlement in Chicago.
In this autobiographical work, Addams recounts the origins of Hull-House and its growth into a center for education, reform, and civic engagement. Writing with clarity and measured reflection, she describes the conditions faced by immigrant communities in industrial Chicago and the practical efforts undertaken to address poverty, labor exploitation, public health, and education.
More than a memoir, the book offers insight into the Progressive Era's reform movement and the philosophy underlying settlement work. Addams articulates a vision of democracy grounded in shared responsibility and social cooperation, arguing that meaningful reform arises from lived engagement rather than distant theory.
Twenty Years at Hull-House remains a foundational document in American social reform history and women's civic leadership. This SMK Books edition presents the complete, unabridged text, preserving Addams' original narrative and historical observations.
