London 1808-1870 - by Francis Sheppard (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

London 1808-1870: The Infernal Wen examines the sweeping transformation of London during the Industrial Revolution, a period that reshaped the city's character and identity. Once celebrated for its picturesque charm, as immortalized in Wordsworth's 1802 sonnet, London became a sprawling industrial hub marked by smoke, noise, and relentless growth. The book explores this rapid urbanization, detailing the rise of railways, factories, and modern infrastructure that altered the cityscape and daily life. While London's population surged to over three million by 1871, rival industrial cities in the north grew even faster, signaling a shift in economic power and influence across Britain.

This study offers a nuanced account of London's evolving role as both a center of imperial wealth and a microcosm of the social challenges posed by industrialization. The narrative delves into tensions between the capital and the provinces, the impact of public health reforms, and the emergence of government intervention to address the pressures of urban life. Despite growing competition from provincial cities, London retained its symbolic status as the heart of the nation, a position solidified by its resilience amid profound social and political change. Richly detailed and deeply insightful, this book is essential for understanding the forces that shaped London into a modern metropolis.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press's mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1971.