Titmuss, Richard Morris (1907–1973)

British sociologist, the first professor of social science and administration at the London School of Economics. He was largely responsible for establishing social administration (i.e. the study of social needs and provision to meet them) as a separate academic discipline.

After being employed in industry and commerce 1922–42, Titmuss joined the Cabinet Office, 1942–49, to work on social policy development in the war. His works include The Social Division of Welfare, which questions traditional definitions of welfare services, and The Gift Relationship, 1970, which examines the role of altruism in social policy.