London Labour and the London Poor: Selections

London Labour and the London Poor is a significant example of nineteenth-century oral history, documenting the lives of street sellers, dock laborers, musicians, rat catchers, vagrants, chimney sweeps, thieves, and prostitutes. This newly annotated and abridged edition includes historical appendices such as a contemporary map of London, reviews of London Labour, and other slum journalism from the period.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 380 pages
Publication date: 30 December 2019
Publisher: Broadview Press Ltd

London Labour and the London Poor, a remarkable collection of nineteenth-century oral history, was produced between 1850 and 1862. The author, editor, and principal investigator, Henry Mayhew, painstakingly assembled the minute details of everyday London life, creating a fragile yet captivating whole. Mayhew's interest extended beyond the social fabric of people's lives, encompassing their labor and earnings, families, education, leisure activities, and religious beliefs. What sets his "case studies" apart is their spontaneous and uninterrupted flow, seemingly emerging directly from the subjects' mouths. This newly annotated and abridged edition of Mayhew's four-volume work captures a diverse range of individuals, including street sellers, dock laborers, musicians, rat catchers, vagrants, chimney sweeps, thieves, and prostitutes. Historical appendices provide valuable context, including a contemporary map of London, reviews of London Labour, and other slum journalism from the period.

London Labour and the London Poor stands as a testament to the power of oral history in capturing the essence of a bygone era. Through Mayhew's meticulous research and storytelling, the collection offers a profound insight into the lives of the marginalized and underprivileged in nineteenth-century London. It serves as a reminder of the importance of listening to the voices of those who have been historically marginalized and overlooked, and of the rich tapestry of human experiences that can be found even in the most challenging circumstances.

Weight: 484g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781554813391