Views on Victorian London
April 17, 2012 Blogs, Collections online, Exhibitions, Photography, Special eventsInspired by our upcoming event at the Museum of London in which Sebastian Groes and Iain Sinclair discuss representations of Victorian London in 19th century literature, we’ve put together a selection of photographs which show the capital at the time.
Click on each image below for more information.
A convicts' home in Drury Lane c. 1877 © Museum of London
Cheap Fish of St. Giles, 1877 © Museum of London
The Oxford Arms, Warwick Lane, 1875 © Museum of London
The Oxford Arms, Warwick Lane, 1875 © Museum of London
Cloth Fair, Smithfield, 1877 © Museum of London
An old house, Palace Yard, Lambeth, 1883 © Museum of London
Neville Thomas at the Coconut Fibre Works, Millwall, 1885 © Museum of London
The Aldgate Pump, 1880 © Museum of London
View Across the Thames to St Paul's Cathedral, c.1850 © Museum of London
The Royal Exchange, c.1880 © Museum of London
Blackfriars Bridge with the City in the distance, c1880 © Museum of London
Cheapside with Bow Church, c.1880 © Museum of London
London Bridge with traffic, c.1880 © Museum of London
Westminster Abbey and Palace, c.1857 © Museum of London
A woman carrying a toddler with a young girl in Drury Lane, 1899 © Museum of London
An elevated view along Bishop's Court towards Holborn Viaduct Station, 1882 © Museum of London
An exhausted sweated labourer, 1890-1910 © Museum of London
Taking these images into consideration, do you think the portrayal of Victorian London by Dickens and his contemporaries was realistic? Have your say in the comments section below or join us at the Museum of London on Wed 25 April (event details below).
Jan Ellis :
Date: April 17, 2012 @ 2:40 pm
I loved seeing these photos as I am researching my London Ancestors from 1770-1900. As to whether Dickens portrays the Victorian era well he was at least living in those times. I would tend to believe what he has written and how he depicts those times.I am happy to go with that until someone tells me otherwise.
Jan Ellis :
Date: April 17, 2012 @ 2:42 pm
I would also like to say that I have a playwright called John Maddison Morton who was married to my Great Great Aunt in 1860. He wrote and adapted many plays for the English Stage and whether or not these reflect Victorian Life or just a comedic look at the life and times I am not sure.
Doreen Sibbons :
Date: May 14, 2012 @ 6:07 am
Loved these photographs, Yes, I believe Dickens portrayed life in Victorian times very well. I grew up with relatives who lived in late Victorian London. It was difficult for them to accept the changes and they talked often of their early lives in London. Congratulations on the photographs and many thanks for a step into my ancestors world