Written by a lifelong enthusiast, this investigative biography tells the story of an elusive literary figure and his classic book. The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists was first published in 1953, but very little—not even a real name—was known about the man who wrote it, Robert Tressell, until the first edition of this biography was assembled in 1973. This new edition traces Tressell's life and work, ranging from his upbringing in Ireland to his political organizing and writing. In addition to this tale of a man's life is the strange history of the publication of his socialist classic. Describing clues, leads, edits, and restorations, the story recounts how Philanthropists was written, published, abridged, lost, restored, and published again.