George Atherton Aitken CB, MVO (19 March 1860 – 16 November 1917) was a British civil servant, author, scholar, a literary biographer[1] and a book collector.
He benefited on a personal level from the reforms during this time within the postal system, which included the provision of a private library and reading room for its employees to encourage intellectual development.
He was responsible for legislation that brought about improvements to Child Welfare, working under the future Home Office Secretary, Herbert Samuel.
7. c. 67), consolidated and simplified existing legislation on child welfare and, most significantly, created a juvenile justice system.
Aitken was recognised in his profession as a career civil servant, receiving a number of promotions, where he eventually was elevated to the position of Assistant Secretary, becoming the first Head of the Children's Department at the Home Office in 1913.
During his lifetime he gathered an extensive collection of rare manuscripts and books, including multiple copies of each edition of the works of Geoffrey Chaucer, which were printed between 1532 and 1602.