An Experiment in Altruism: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
An Experiment in Altruism: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

An Experiment in Altruism is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Sherwood, Margaret Pollock (1864–1955).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"An Experiment in Altruism" by Elizabeth Hastings is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story opens as the narrator arrives in a new city, aiming to engage in philanthropic work, and is introduced to a cast of characters including the Altruist, Janet, and the Doctor—each with diverse perspectives on altruism and societal issues. The book explores themes of social reform, the complexities of human relationships, and the struggle between idealism and realism in the context of helping the less fortunate. The opening portion introduces the narrator's impressions of the city and its inhabitants, who are depicted as introspective and engaged in various charitable efforts. Through conversations between characters, particularly with Janet, the reader gains insight into differing views on the effectiveness of these philanthropic efforts and the nature of altruism. The narrator also reflects on the paradoxes involved in trying to better the conditions of the poor, hinting at both the selflessness and the challenges faced by those engaged in social reform. As the characters' dialogues unfold, the groundwork is laid for a deeper exploration of the motivations behind their actions and the impact of their beliefs on real-world issues.
Book and edition facts
- Title: An Experiment in Altruism
- Author credits: Sherwood, Margaret Pollock (1864–1955)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Social settlements -- Fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Novels
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.


