Living in the slums: the Victorian Working Class
When we think of the ‘Working Class’ in the nineteenth century an image of abject poverty, slums and exploitative employers springs to mind. Television programmes and history books often portray the same image. But was this really the case ?
Who were the working class in the nineteenth century and why are historians now starting to talk of an ‘Upper’ and ‘Lower’ Working Class ?
Did they all live in poverty, and were poorly educated and illiterate or was something else more the truth ? Were ‘Mill Owners’ all exploitative and were working conditions terrible for everyone who worked in industry ?
Find out more in this talk as Industrial Historian, Richard Marks, reveals the truth about the Victorian Working Class.
To join this meeting you will need a computer device which has a microphone and speakers. Ideally, also a webcam. You also need to be able to access e-mails from this device. First time users will be asked to download a small piece of software to join the meeting. The meeting link will be e-mailed to you in advance. Technical help is available for those who need further assistance, please contact booking@berksfhs.org.uk.
Image: File:111418-25-History-Poverty-Victorian-England-London-768×989, No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons (cropped)
Date
- Wed 11 Feb 2026
Time
Door open at 19:15- 19:30 - 20:30
Tickets
- £5.00
Location
- Zoom Video Conference
Category
Organiser
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Newbury Branch - Berkshire FHS
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Email
newbury@berksfhs.org.uk
Speaker
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Dr Richard MarksIndustrial, Military and Railway HistorianRichard is a published historian based in Berkshire who specialises in industrial, military, and railway history and also the history of science. His current areas of research are industrial development in the Victorian period, the development of the railway and canal systems in Britain in the mid to late 19th Century and the history of British Rail. He has a PhD in economic history. Richard’s books on British Rail Engineering and the Wantage Tramway Company were both both published by Pen and Sword in 2024.