-
"London: A Pilgrimage"
In 1872, a book of 180 detailed drawings by Gustave Doré called "London: A Pilgrimage" was published. It enjoyed immediate commercial success but was criticised by many. However, most were both fascinated and appalled by the frank and brutally honest book about the conditions of the impoverished in Victorian London and drew attention about these social problems to a wider audience in society. -
"Life and Labour"
"Life and Labour of the People in London" was a study conducted and written about by Charles Booth focusing on the lives, occupations and earnings of the working-class in London. Its first volume was published in 1889, and by 1903 seventeen volumes had been published. Booth found that 30% of the total population was below the poverty line, and concluded that the main causes of poverty were a lack of regular and secure employment, trade depressions, old age, or illness. -
"Poverty: A Study of Town Life" published
Seebohm Rowntree was a social reformer, probably best known for his book "Poverty: A Study of Town Life", which was published sometime in 1901. York was his hometown and after two years' research there he found that over half of families' poverty was due to a large family. 27% of the York population were below the poverty line at the start of the 20th century. -
Queen Victoria dies
At the age of 81, Queen Victoria died in early 1901. Her reign had spanned 64 years and 10 British Prime Ministers. Her death saw the end of the Victorian era. -
Sir Campbell-Bannerman is P.M.
After the 1905 General Election, the Liberal Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman became Prime Minister. Campbell-Bannerman had - in his election address - advocated ending factory exlpoitation and improving overall working conditions. -
First free school meals
Many local councils in Britain started to provide free school meals for the poorest children. By 1910, nine million free school meals had been served per day. By 1912, almost half of all local councils offered the scheme. -
Children and Young Person's Act
The Children and Young Person's Act was passed by Parliament in 1908 and imposed regulations meaning it was now illegal for children to: sell or buy tobacco, be sent begging, or be negected by their parents. -
Asquith is P.M.
Herbert Henry Asquith,1st Earl of Oxford and Asquith - a Liberal - becomes the Prime Minister. He serves until late 1916. -
National Insurance Act
Inspired by Germany's system since 1884 of national insurance against illness, the National Insurance Act was passed by the Liberal government and was an important step towards social reform; it is considered as one of the foundations of the modern welfare state. The Act insured provision of medical beneits and sick payment for time off work for people earning under a certain amount
