The Government of Victorian London, 1855–1889: The Metropolitan Board of Works, the Vestries, and the City Corporation

David Owen

Published by Harvard University Press 1982

The Government of Victorian London, 1855–1889

The Metropolitan Board of Works, the Vestries, and the City Corporation

David Owen
Edited by: Roy MacLeod
In collaboration with: David Reeder , Donald Olsen and Francis Sheppard

https://doi.org/10.4159/harvard.9780674863460

Overview
Contents

About this book

Of all the major cities of Britain, London, the world metropolis, was the last to acquire a modern municipal government. Its antiquated administrative system led to repeated crises as the population doubled within a few decades and reached more than two million in the 1840s. Essential services such as sanitation, water supply, street paving and lighting, relief of the poor, and maintenance of the peace were managed by the vestries of ninety-odd parishes or precincts plus divers ad hoc authorities or commissions. In 1855, with the establishment of the Metropolitan Board of Works, the groundwork began to be laid for a rational municipal government.

Owen tells in absorbing detail the story of the operations of the Metropolitan Board of Works, its political and other problems, and its limited but significant accomplishments--including the laying down of 83 miles of sewers and the building of the Thames Embankments--before it was replaced in 1889 by the London County Council. His account, based on extensive archival research, is balanced, judicious, lucid, often witty and always urbane.

Reviews

This is a major work of urban history, a superbly wrought piece of historical reconstruction. It adds enormously to our knowledge and fills what may he termed a scandalous gap in the history of London and the bibliography of current urban history. It will enhance the reputations of Owen and those who have done so much to bring his book to its final polished state. ,

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	v
Illustrations Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	vii
Editor's Preface Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	ix
Foreword John Clive Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	xi
The Government of Victorian London
Introduction: Victorian London Donald J. Olsen Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
PART I: The Evolution of Metropolitan Government
CHAPTER 1: The Crisis of London's Government Francis Sheppard Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	23
CHAPTER 2: The Creation of the Metropolitan Board of Works Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	31
CHAPTER 3: The Problem of Main Drainage Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	47
CHAPTER 4: The Embankment Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	74
CHAPTER 5: Thoroughfares and Buildings Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	102
CHAPTER 6: The Miscellaneous Duties of a Municipal Government Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	126
CHAPTER 7: The Routine of Administration Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	156
CHAPTER 8: The Odor of Corruption Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	169
CHAPTER 9: The Twilight of the Metropolitan Board of Works Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	193
PART II: Vestrydom and the City Corporation
CHAPTER 10: A Bird's-Eye View of Vestrydom Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	213
CHAPTER 11: The City Corporation Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	226
CHAPTER 12: St. Marylebone Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	260
CHAPTER 13: St. Pancras Francis Sheppard Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	283
CHAPTER 14: St. George the Martyr, Southwark Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	304
CHAPTER 15: St. Leonard, Shoreditch Francis Sheppard Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	324
Conclusion: Perspectives on Metropolitan Administrative History David Reeder Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	347
Notes Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	371
Bibliography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	416
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	455

(Deutsch)

Language: English
Publisher: Harvard University Press
Edition: Reprint 2014
Audience: Professional and scholarly;
Pages
- Front matter: 15
- Main content: 466
Illustrations
- Illustrations: 10
- Other: illustrations
Keywords: POLITICAL SCIENCE / World / European; HISTORY / General; SOCIAL SCIENCE / Sociology / Urban; London (England) -- History -- 1800-1950.; London (England). Metropolitan Board of Works -- History -- 19th century.

eBook

Published: October 1, 2013
ISBN: 9780674863460

Hardcover

Published: February 5, 1982
ISBN: 9780674863453