Non-fiction on Victorian/Edwardian poor

[seaweedseven]

I'm looking for recommendations for non-fiction books about the everyday lives of working class people in Victorian and Edwardian times, especially about workhouses, factory life, being a servant, women's lives, family life, etc. I've been researching my family tree and have got interested in finding out more about everyday lives in this era.

Would thoroughly recommend The Blackest Streets by Sarah Wise about the area known as the Old Nichol in the East End of London.

Margaret Llewelyn Davies’ books that collected first hand accounts of mothers in the late nineteenth century might be interesting- life was unbearable hard for women is my main impression.

I was coming on to recommend The Five as well. It was a fascinating insight into the lives of women at that time in London. I really admired the author's stance on barely mentioning the murderer but instead aimed to bring these women to life for the reader.

I'd absolutely second the PPs who recommended The Blackest Streets and the Judith Flanders books, all superb. I've also just finished Dirty Old London by Lee Jackson, which is illuminating on public health and how working people lived (usually very much on the edge and in horrific conditions) in the 19th century city.

Maybe more when I've looked at my bookshelves!

For a good overview The Cambridge Social History . I also like Family Fortunes which is the middle classes but still good on social history by Leonore Davidoff and Catherine Hall.

I second The Five and also Jerry Whites books on London and also on the Debtors prison. Can’t remember the titles

You could try Building Jerusalem by Tristram Hunt for a look at social context and how Victorian ideals shaped the architecture of expanding cities for the poor and middle classes. It’s a bit academic but interesting.

Maternity Letters :
onlineshop.oxfam.org.uk/maternity-letters-from-working-women/product/HD_300106038?pscid=ps_ggl_OOS+-+Smart+Shopping+-+Books++-+2021_Ad+group&crm_event_code=20REUWWS08&gclid=CjwKCAjw2ZaGBhBoEiwA8pfP_sNGdf2k9BlhEPxY7FoqHESwYbHaLommYI2YESDDV3jmAatAk13QDxoCWw8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

How To Be a Victorian by Ruth Goodman

Fiction again - A Child of the Jago by Arthur Morrison.

"At the Works" by Maud Pember Reeves is interesting