The Universal League for the Material Elevation of the Industrious Classes was a 19th-century English political movement and organization.
It was founded on 14 December 1863 by Marquis Townshend, who was one of the few aristocrats to support the reform movement.
It was chaired by John Bedford Leno, and its vice-presidents included Edmond Beales, J.A.
Its aims were ambitious and were to: Townshend obtained rooms at 18 Greek Street to use as the Universal League's headquarters.
A Universal League Reform Committee was formed to concentrate on manhood suffrage, however Townshend objected to its formation as he feared control was being wrested from his hands.