London Labour and the London Poor

London Labour and the London Poor is a work by Henry Mayhew that explores the lives of the urban poor in 19th-century London. Originally published in 1851 as a series of articles for the Morning Chronicle newspaper, it is a pioneering example of investigative journalism and sociological analysis. The work’s significance lies in its groundbreaking approach to documenting social issues. Mayhew interviewed various individuals, including street vendors, beggars, laborers, and sex workers, to understand their daily struggles, work conditions, and personal stories. His work contributed to a more nuanced understanding of poverty, labor, and social inequality during a time of rapid urbanization and industrialization—and laid the foundation for later social research and investigations into the living conditions and struggles of the working class.

This guide references the 1851 publication of the articles in three volumes, along with the fourth volume from 1861, which Mayhew coauthored with Bracebridge Hemyng, John Binny, and Andrew Halliday. All four volumes of London Labour and the London Poor are available electronically via Google Books.

Content Warning: This guide covers a text written in the 19th century and contains outdated language as well as sensitive content regarding suicide, sexual assault, substance abuse, human trafficking, and racism.