Child Labour in Britain, 1750-1870

'This is an exceptionally well argued and student-friendly book. It brings out core issues, and adds important new interpretive perspectives.' - Dr Steven King, Oxford Brookes University 'Excellent, readable survey of debates and literature.' - Michael Winstanley, Lancaster University 'A very good concise introduction to the sources, historiography and outstanding issues.' - Dr Jane Humphries, All Souls College, University of Oxford 'The book is aimed at both teachers and students, and no one can fail to learn much from it; Kirby is abreast of the most recent literature and research.' - Hugh Cunningham, The English Historical Review 'The book is to be recommended as a well-informed and wide-ranging introduction to its subject.' - Colin Heywood, Economic History Review 'A succinct summary of current thinking on the child labour issue during such a crucial period in Britain's industrial development.' - Pamela Horn, History of Education 'I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the subject, especially those seeking an easily digestible introduction to the topic.' - Andrew Gritt, Local Population Studies

This survey of child labour argues that during the 18th and 19th centuries, child labour provided a major contribution both to economic growth and to the incomes of working class households. The book also discusses the issues involved in the study of children's employment.What kinds of jobs did children do in the past, and how widespread was their employment? Why did so many poor families put their children to work? How did the state respond to child labour? What problems arise in the interpretation of evidence of child employment?

Child Labour in Britain, 1750-1870
- Offers a broad empirical analysis of how the work of children was integrated with the major economic and occupational changes of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Britain
- argues that working children occupied a unique position within the context of the family, the labour market and the state
- discusses the key issues involved in the study of children's employment

In this clear and concise study, Peter Kirby convincingly argues that child labour provided an invaluable contribution to economic growth and the incomes of working-class households. Consequently, the picture that emerges is much more complex than that portrayed in many traditional approaches to the subject.