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the experience of reading in Britain, from 1450 to 1945...

Reading Experience Database UK Historical image of readers
 
 
 
 

Record Number: 1279


Reading Experience:

Evidence:

Henry Mayhew interviews a female crossing sweeper: "When my sight was better I used to be very partial to reading; but I can't see the print now, sir. I used to read the bible and the newspaper. Story books I have read too, but not many novels. Yes, Robinson Crusoe I know..."

Century:

1800-1849

Date:

Between 1 Jan 1800 and 31 Dec 1849

Country:

England

Time

n/a

Place:

city: London

Type of Experience
(Reader):
 

silent aloud unknown
solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown

Type of Experience
(Listener):
 

solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown


Reader / Listener / Reading Group:

Reader:

Mary

Age:

Unknown

Gender:

Female

Date of Birth:

n/a

Socio-Economic Group:

Labourer (non-agricultural)

Occupation:

crossing sweeper

Religion:

Protestant

Country of Origin:

Wales

Country of Experience:

England

Listeners present if any:
e.g family, servants, friends

n/a


Additional Comments:

n/a



Text Being Read:

Author:

Title:

n/a

Genre:

Fiction

Form of Text:

Print: Book, story books

Publication Details

n/a

Provenance

unknown


Source Information:

Record ID:

1279

Source:

Print

Author:

Henry Mayhew

Editor:

n/a

Title:

London Labour and the London Poor

Place of Publication:

London

Date of Publication:

1861

Vol:

2

Page:

480

Additional Comments:

n/a

Citation:

Henry Mayhew, London Labour and the London Poor, (London, 1861), 2, p. 480, http://www.open.ac.uk/Arts/reading/UK/record_details.php?id=1279, accessed: 29 March 2024


Additional Comments:

Mayhew writes that she is about 55 years of age

   
   
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