Child labour, poverty and begging: Incredible snaps shed light on grim conditions of working class Victorian Britain
Many believe the photographer was a pioneer of photojournalism
Sophie Roberts
AN incredible collection of sepia photos encapsulate what working life was like for people in Victorian Britain.
The poignant pictures, taken by photographer John Thompson, are like a portal back to Dickensian London.
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In an image titled The Temperance Sweep, a man stands covered in soot alongside a young boyCredit: John Thompson / Bishopsgate Institute
During the 1800s, advancements in technology allowed photos of everyday life to be printed for the first time.
In 1872, John Thompson and writer Adolphe Smith produced some of the first examples of photojournalism in Britain.
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This photo, titled The Water Cart, shows a man making his living by carting around materials for his employersCredit: John Thompson / Bishopsgate Institute
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The Crawlers image tells the story of a woman who was forced to beg on the street after her wealthy husband spent all his money before dying, leaving her destituteCredit: John Thompson / Bishopsgate Institute
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The Independent Shoe Black shows how child labour was rife in Victorian Britain. A young boy can be seen polishing the shoes of a middle class manCredit: John Thompson / Bishopsgate Institute
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Survivors of Street Floods in Lambeth shows the tragic time a family were turned out of their homes after they were damaged by floodwaterCredit: John Thompson / Bishopsgate Institute
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The Seller of Shell Fish shows punters and market stall workers during a day's workCredit: John Thompson / Bishopsgate Institute
The pair set off to snap photos of people from all places in society, from beggars to doctors.
They aimed to feature those who were “hardworking, honest individuals, prevented by their station in life from further advancement”.
During a time where mechanisation was booming, the images of London workers showed that not everyone was benefiting from industrialisation.
The emotive photos tell stories of the flower sellers on the street and the chimney sweeps that have been left soot-covered after a hard day’s graft.
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London Nomades depicts a family of travellers who went from door to door attempting to earn a livingCredit: John Thompson / Bishopsgate Institute
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The 'Caney' The Clown image told readers of the plight of a man who was forced to give up his job after his varicose vein burstCredit: John Thompson / Bishopsgate Institute
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The London Boardmen depicts a man who works as a Victorian walking advertisementCredit: John Thompson / Bishopsgate Institute
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Street Life in London is a photo of two Victorian bin men tasked with the gruesome task of collecting rubbishCredit: John Thompson / Bishopsgate Institute
As well as capturing history with these bold images, the forward-thinking duo also interviewed their subjects about their experiences.
Their research was broadcast in monthly magazine Street Life in London from 1876 to 1877, and was also published in a book from 1978.
The reason for circulating the book was said to be “to bring before the public some account of the present condition of the London street folk, and to supply a series of faithful pictures of the people themselves.”
Many praise the photographer for drawing light to some of the crippling conditions of the 1800s.
It’s believed that his candid images pushed middle class Victorians to do more to help those who were living a life of poverty.
For the first time, many readers were able to put a face to the characters they were reading about in the novels of Charles Dickens.
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The men pictured in The Wall Worker were responsible for covering boards with advertisements and billsCredit: John Thompson / Bishopsgate Institute
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It's no secret that the Victorian era wasn't a great time for hygiene, and the men pictured in Public Disinfectors risked their lives in attempt to rid the city of toxic materialsCredit: John Thompson / Bishopsgate Institute
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Cast Iron Billy (left) was a Victorian cabbie responsible for carting passengers aroundCredit: John Thompson / Bishopsgate Institute
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The Street Fruit Trade depicts a strawberry seller carting her fruit through the cityCredit: John Thompson / Bishopsgate Institute
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Peasant children playing a harp were the main focus of this snap, which was published under the name Italian Street MusiciansCredit: John Thompson / Bishopsgate Institute
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More market-sellers were photographed by Thomson in this image, which was titled The Cheap Fish of St. Giles'sCredit: John Thompson / Bishopsgate Institute
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The Street Locksmith depicts one of the capital's locksmiths, who were responsible for keeping houses safe in a time where burglary and poverty was rifeCredit: John Thompson / Bishopsgate Institute
Thompson's work had such an impact that he was appointed the photographer to the British Royal Family by Queen Victoria.
The snaps are currently being stored at the Bishopsgate Institute, London.
