British Chimney Sweeps - by Benita Cullingford (Paperback)

About the Book

The art and science of chimney sweeping, from the development of chimneys in the twelfth century to the patenting of mechanical devices in the late nineteenth century. Included are the personalities who dominated the trade (which surprisingly included several women sweeps); i...

Book Synopsis

The art and science of chimney sweeping, from the development of chimneys in the twelfth century to the patenting of mechanical devices in the late nineteenth century. Included are the personalities who dominated the trade (which surprisingly included several women sweeps); illustrations of the tools of the trade; sweeping techniques; the impact of social reform; and the place of the sweep in literature.

Review Quotes

A fascinating piece of industrial and social history.

A lively social history, full of meticulous research.

An intriguing social history.

Impressive...delightful.... An absolute must.

The art of chimney sweeping is examined in detail for the first time in Benita Cullingford's lively and fascinating book...this definitive work makes extremely interesting reading.

Well researched.... Enlivened by anecdotes and intriguing glimpses of a sweep's life.

About the Author

Benita Cullingford is a teacher of speech and drama, whose fascination with the history of chimney sweeps has led to the publication of many articles on the subject. She is writing a television drama series about eighteenth-century chimney sweeps and has given lectures on women traders. She lives in Hertfordshire, England, and is married with two daughters.