A Short History of Poverty (1830s - 1940s)

This immersive session explores attitudes to and experiences of poverty in Britain from the 1834 Poor Law Reform Act to the mid-twentieth-century introduction of the Welfare State.

Hands-on access to political pamphlets, campaigning literature, photographs and press cuttings provides a range of insights and perspectives, including information on both grassroots activism and official measures proposed to erase or manage financial hardship in the past.

Who is this course for?

This course is for anyone with an interest in history.

How will the course be taught?

These exploratory archive courses are taught through the handling, examining and reading of curated sets of original historical materials from our library and special collections. There will be opportunities to share findings through informal, facilitated discussions. A short tutor presentation provides background and context.