Introduction

This book was first published in 1929. The working woman was not, a Victorian institution. The word spinster disproves any upstart origin for the sisterhood of toil. Nor was she as a literary figure the discovery of Victorian writers in search of fresh material.

Historical Context

Chaucer included unmemorable working women and Charlotte Bronte in Shirley had Caroline Helstone a reflection that spinning kept her servants up very late. It seems that the Victorians see the women worker as an object of pity, portrayed in early nineteenth century as a victim of long hours, injustice and unfavourable conditions.

Scope of the Volume

This volume looks at the working woman in British industries and professions from 1832 to 1850.