Respectability, Bankruptcy and Bigamy in Late Nineteenth- and Early Twentieth-Century Britain

Respectability, Bankruptcy, and Bigamy in Late Nineteenth and Early Twentieth-Century Britain explores the question of middle-class respectability in Victorian and Edwardian Britain, focusing on the life of London solicitor Hamilton Pawley. It shows that respectability was easier to acquire and retain than previously believed, and that the disgraced and disreputable have always tended to attract attention.

Format: Hardback
Length: 136 pages
Publication date: 30 September 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Respectability, Bankruptcy, and Bigamy in Late Nineteenth and Early Twentieth-Century Britain delves into the intricate exploration of middle-class respectability in Victorian and Edwardian Britain. Centering its attention on the life of London solicitor Hamilton Pawley (1860–1936), the book sheds light on the complexities of his existence. Pawley faced numerous challenges, including being barred from practicing law by the Law Society, twice declaring bankruptcy, and ultimately receiving an eighteen-month imprisonment sentence with hard labor in 1919 for bigamously marrying a woman nearly forty years his junior.

If Pawley managed to evade the retribution of respectable society, it becomes challenging to envision who else could have endured such consequences. Drawing upon the notion that the disgraced and the disreputable often captivate disproportionate attention, the book encompasses a broad spectrum of topics, encompassing middle-class education, career choices, the intricacies of family life, and the workings of the late nineteenth and early twentieth-century legal system. Through its comprehensive analysis, the book reveals that Pawley was able to maintain his professional and even gentlemanly status for a significantly longer duration than initially anticipated. This revelation suggests that, contrary to prevailing beliefs, respectability was both more accessible and easier to retain for the middle class than commonly assumed.

In conclusion, Respectability, Bankruptcy, and Bigamy in Late Nineteenth and Early Twentieth-Century Britain offers a profound and thought-provoking examination of the complexities of middle-class respectability in Victorian and Edwardian Britain. Through the lens of Pawley's life, the book sheds light on the challenges and complexities faced by individuals in a society striving for social hierarchy and societal approval. It challenges the notion that respectability was solely a matter of birth and upbringing and highlights the various factors that contributed to its acquisition and retention. This book will captivate scholars, historians, and anyone with an interest in British society during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Weight: 430g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367766856