Originally published in 1938, The Voluntary Citizen discusses the distinctive features of charity and voluntary social service and gives the author's views as to their scope and limitations, especially in relation to the public social services at the time.

It also assembles and co-ordinates the available information about the income of various groups of charities and gives an estimate of the total income of all charities in England and Wales.

The last section of the book describes in detail the organization and problems of district nursing as an example of a voluntarily organized social service.

Today it can be read in its historical context.