Beschreibung:

Title: Life and Labour of the People in London Author: Booth, Charles Place: London Publisher: Macmillan and Co. Date: 1892-1897 Description: 9 volumes. Maps and charts, several folding, within; also, a small portfolio containing the larger series of 5 folding maps of London Poverty. (8vo) modern blue library cloth, titles in gilt on spines. First Editions. Volumes 1 through 9 only (of eventually 17). One of the key sources for social and economic history in late Victorian London. Booth (1840-1916) was a successful ship-owner. "[He] was one of those remarkable English Victorians who can justly be described as one of the great and the good. Profoundly concerned by contemporary social problems, and not a pious nor even a religious man, he recognized the limitations of philanthropy and conditional charity in addressing the poverty which scarred British society. Without any commission other than his own he devised, organized, and funded one of the most comprehensive and scientific social surveys of London life that had then been undertaken." (London School of Economics, Booth Archive). The maps descriptive of London poverty are an early example of social cartography, and still much consulted by historians today. The map series, dividing the city into quadrants, is based on Stanford's 'Library map of London'. Its significance lies in the classification and depiction of the extensive poverty in London in the late 19th century. Incredibly detailed, Booth's survey classified each street by a color code: 'The Lowest Class. Vicious, semi-criminal', 'Very Poor, casual, chronic want', rising through seven orders culminating with 'Upper-middle and upper classes, Wealthy'. Booth is probably best remembered for the founding of The Salvation Army, his academic approach to the impoverished of London provided statistical ammunition for those advocating social change. Lot Amendments Condition: Ex-library, call numbers obscured on spines, stamping and markings within, several repairs, some pencil markings. Nonetheless, very good condition. Item number: 258887