London Labour and the London Poor

The 19th century marked a profound transformation in London as urbanization and industrialization reshaped its landscape and society. These twin forces brought about unprecedented changes in living and working conditions for the urban working class and poor, leading to stark social stratification and a host of interconnected challenges as London transformed rapidly and radically from a relatively compact city into a sprawling metropolis. Urbanization, driven by rural-to-urban migration and population growth, fueled expansion of the city’s boundaries. Concurrently, industrialization revolutionized the economic landscape as factories and manufacturing industries sprung up to cater to the burgeoning demand for goods and services. These two intertwined processes had far-reaching consequences for the city’s inhabitants.

As London’s population surged, the demand for housing outstripped supply, leading to overcrowded and dilapidated tenements in the city’s slums. The urban working class and poor were forced into squalid living conditions characterized by cramped quarters, inadequate sanitation, and a lack of basic amenities. Families often lived in a single room, where privacy was a luxury and ventilation was poor, resulting in the rapid spread of diseases such as tuberculosis and cholera. The infamous rookeries, such as the St. Giles slum, epitomized the dire state of housing for people experiencing poverty.