London History

Horror of the workhouse

It’s never easy being jobless, but for unemployed East Enders in Victorian times there was another insult to add to the injury of poverty. Victorian politicians - preaching the doctrines of philosopher Bentham and his creeds of utilitarianism and political economy decided that charity degraded the poor and that every person should help his or herself.

Will Crooks piece.

Bill Fishman on East End workhouses.