1798

Publication of An Essay on the Principle of Population by Thomas Robert Malthus

Malthus used math­em­atical cal­cu­la­tions to demon­strate that unchecked, pop­u­lation grows faster than its means of sub­sistence, with the natural con­sequences of famine, war and excessive mor­tality. In order to limit pop­u­lation increase, Malthus recom­mended in par­ticular revoking the laws pro­tecting the poor that were in force in England at that time.