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Poor London

November 9, 2010

Human Sympathy is a Strange Thing: An Overview of Abject Poverty in Georgian London

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over 1 year ago wassabeee (Twitter) responded:

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Lots of food for thought in your story: I found the difference in ticket takeup rates between men and women very interesting. Was the survey really representative, or did it exhibit more sympathy for women than for men?

Was the survey done before or after the Irish famine of 1740–1741?

over 1 year ago Amro Gebreel liked this post.

over 1 year ago Lucy Inglis responded:

Lucy Inglis

From what is known about the survey, it appears the tickets were randomly distributed, indicating a fairly representative take-up rate, but of course we cannot be entirely sure.

The survey date of 1796 probably means the famine of those years didn't have much impact, but long term hunger amongst the poor in Ireland, plus the Army, meant that London was a draw. Once in the capital, the Irish dominated the lower building and street-paving trades, and also the sedan chair trade. All these professions were hard on the body and conducted in all weathers, perhaps contributing to the number of Irish women left without male support.

over 1 year ago donnahatch responded:

A sobering bit of information which makes me think perhaps modern-day society may not have evolved so far.

over 1 year ago Richard Wyland (Facebook) responded:

Just finished watching a version of "Oliver Twist" on PBS...Stunning performances all 'round...Timothy Spall as Fagin was especially brilliant...The poverty,vice,and viciousness of the London streets still much alive in the following century...Sadly...