Psychiatrist Anthony Daniels Offers Firsthand Insights on 'Underclass'

Daniels, writing under the pen name Theodore Dalrymple, has spent decades observing and critiquing the 'squalor produced by the welfare state'.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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Anthony Daniels, a 76-year-old retired British psychiatrist, has written more than two dozen books under the pseudonym Theodore Dalrymple. Daniels, a firsthand observer of the 'underclass' in the West, has spent decades critiquing the 'squalor produced by the welfare state' and the 'widespread abdication of personal responsibility' through his writings in publications like City Journal.

Why it matters

Daniels' writings offer a unique perspective on the challenges facing marginalized communities, drawing from his extensive experience working in an inner-city hospital and a prison. His critiques of the welfare state and personal responsibility have sparked debate and discussion around these complex social issues.

The details

Daniels, known for directly confronting people's poor civic behavior, has written about topics ranging from littering to loud music in public spaces. He adopted the pen name Theodore Dalrymple to provide an 'extra layer of disguise' when writing about his work in an inner-city hospital and a prison. Daniels has been a regular contributor to City Journal, the Manhattan Institute's quarterly, for the past 32 years.

  • Daniels first wrote about the 'underclass' in a series of columns titled 'If Symptoms Persist' for the Spectator magazine in London in the 1980s.
  • Daniels has been writing for City Journal since 1994, not missing an issue in 32 years.

The players

Anthony Daniels

A 76-year-old retired British psychiatrist who has written more than two dozen books under the pseudonym Theodore Dalrymple. He is a firsthand observer of the 'underclass' in the West and has spent decades critiquing the 'squalor produced by the welfare state' and the 'widespread abdication of personal responsibility'.

Theodore Dalrymple

The pen name used by Anthony Daniels to write about his work 'in an inner-city hospital and in a prison', as he 'needed an extra layer of disguise'.

Myron Magnet

The editor of City Journal from 1994 through 2006, who hired Anthony Daniels 'almost as the first order of business' when he took over the magazine.

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What they’re saying

“I have not missed an issue in 32 years.”

— Anthony Daniels, Psychiatrist (City Journal)

“I hired Tony Daniels almost as the first order of business when I took over.”

— Myron Magnet, Editor, City Journal (City Journal)

The takeaway

Daniels' writings offer a unique and often controversial perspective on the challenges facing marginalized communities, drawing from his extensive experience working with the 'underclass'. His critiques of the welfare state and personal responsibility have sparked ongoing debate around these complex social issues.