A talk by Dr Frank Prochaska at the Inaugural seminar of the Oxford Centre for the Study of Philanthropy, Green Templeton College, University of Oxford. The activities of the Oxford Centre for the Study of Philanthropy at Green Templeton College commenced on 22 June 2015 with an inaugural seminar led by Somerville College historian, Dr Frank Prochaska, on the history of British philanthropy’s democratic traditions and local roots.