Edward Pease was an early 20th century writer and the founder of the Fabian Society. Pease was the son of Quakers and was educated at home. At sixteen he moved to London to become a stockbroker. When Pease received a small inheritance he left London and tried converting the working class to socialism. When this failed he returned to London. The Fabian Society is a British intellectual socialist movement, whose purpose is to advance the principles of social democracy via gradualist and reformist, rather than revolutionary means. The society is best known for its work in the 19th century leading to World War I. This formed the basis of the Labour party and effected the states that were beginning decolonisation especially India. The society is still in existence today and forms a think tank for the left of center in the New Labour Party.