London Labour and the London Poor

Henry Mayhew, a Victorian author and journalist, is best known for his journalistic work that was later collectively released as London Labour and the London Poor. Through his exploration of London’s society, Mayhew shed light on the lives of the city’s most marginalized and neglected inhabitants, exposing their struggles, aspirations, and the harsh realities they faced. His work provided a candid snapshot of the urban poor, catalyzed social change, and laid the foundation for modern investigative journalism.

Born in London on November 25, 1812, Henry Mayhew was raised in a middle-class household as the 13th of 17 children. He attended Westminster School before running away and serving as a midshipman for the East India Company, later returning to study law at Birkbeck College. However, an interest in journalism led him to abandon a legal career in pursuit of writing. Mayhew’s journalism began in earnest when he became a contributor to the satirical magazine Figaro and later found success as a drama critic. These early experiences honed his observational skills and narrative flair, setting the stage for the work that defined his legacy. In 1841, he cofounded the magazine Punch, where his contributions increased the publication’s popularity.