Fabian Society

Fabian Society, English society for the propagation of socialism. Established 1883–84, it took its name from the Roman general Fabius Cunctator, who delayed fighting Hannibal in order to avoid defeat. Fabians rejected violent revolution, seeking to change society gradually. They helped form the Labour Representation Committee, which became the Labour Party in 1906. Leading Fabians were Sidney and Beatrice Webb and George Bernard Shaw.

See also: Labour Party; Socialism.