John Malcolm Forbes Ludlow (8 March 1821 – 17 October 1911) was an English lawyer and leader of the Christian socialist movement.
He was born in Nimach,[1] India, where his father worked for the East India Company[2]. He was educated at Merchant Taylors' School,[3] and called to the bar in 1843.[1] Ludlow was influenced by French socialism as he was educated in Paris.
In 1850, he founded and became editor of The Christian Socialist newspaper.[1] He was also a co-founder of the Working Men's College. Most of his work focused on mission work to the poor in London. He promoted mutual cooperation via friendly societies. He was secretary to the royal commission on friendly societies from 1870 to 1874,[1] and served as England's chief registrar of friendly societies from 1875 to 1891.[4] He was one of the first members and subsequently president of the Labour Co-Partnership Association.[1] In 1867 Ludlow co-wrote The Progress of the Working Class, 1832-1867 with Lloyd Jones. He died in London.[1]