HILL, Octavia (c.1836—). An English social reformer, born in London. At an early age she began her efforts to improve the homes of the London poor. She first began this work under Frederick D. Maurice, and later, in 1864, was associated with John Ruskin. The latter advanced the money for undertaking the scheme of owning the houses and improving them or erecting new ones. She taught multitudes to help themselves, impressing upon them ideas of cleanliness, order, and self-respect. Her publications include: Homes of the London Poor (1875), and Our Common Land (1878).