While entrepreneurs are increasingly recognized as important participants in the medieval economy, their philanthropic activities have received less attention compared to those of the gentry and nobility. This article shows the contribution that the study of medieval entrepreneurs can make to broader business history debates surrounding the identity of philanthropists and their beneficiaries, the types of causes they supported, and their impact on wider society. Philanthropic entrepreneurs used the profits of commerce to provide infrastructure, healthcare, and education to their local communities. Their patterns of philanthropy differed from those of gentry, lawyers, and administrators. Support for municipal infrastructure emerges as a distinctive feature of entrepreneurial philanthropy, reflecting a belief in the importance of trade networks and civic reputation.

中文翻译：

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“在慈善事业中处置财富”：中世纪英国的企业家精神和慈善事业

虽然企业家越来越被认为是中世纪经济的重要参与者，但与绅士和贵族的慈善活动相比，他们的慈善活动受到的关注较少。本文展示了对中世纪企业家的研究可以对围绕慈善家及其受益人的身份、他们支持的事业类型以及他们对更广泛社会的影响的更广泛的商业历史辩论做出的贡献。慈善企业家利用商业利润为当地社区提供基础设施、医疗保健和教育。他们的慈善模式不同于绅士、律师和行政人员。对市政基础设施的支持成为企业家慈善事业的一个显着特征，