Down & Out In London in the 1870s

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

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Fascinating black and white pictures taken by photographer John Thompson show the reality of existence in the 1800s when photography was in its infancy.



In 1876 he set out with writer Adolphe Smith and together they spoke to people and their shots were later published in the magazine, Street Life in London.

The pictures, now stored at the Bishopsgate Institute, capture the lives of street beggars, chimney sweeps, street doctors and market sellers among many others.

Thompson aimed to help middle class Victorians gain an insight to what life was like for those living in poverty.


The people pictured were always 'hard working, honest individuals, prevented by their station in life from further advancement'



At this LINK each picture caption is accompanied by the words written by Mr Smith and originally printed in the monthly magazine: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2123212/Black-white-pictures-capture-lives-Londoners-1800s.html#ixzz1qpM7H1IH