Published by Primary Source Microfilm

Previous title: Victorian City, Industrialization and Social Reform

From the squalor and degradation of the world's first industrial revolution arose a system of public administration and health improvement that was one of the crowning legacies of the 19th century.

One individual more than any other is associated with improvements in the Poor Law, sanitation, and health. That is Sir Edwin Chadwick (1800-90) who was the main architect of the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834, and whose sanitary report (1842) led to the establishment of the general board of health in 1848. Throughout his long life he corresponded with a side circle of official, professional and personal friends and acquaintances--with politicians, civil servants, inspectors, medical men and reformers.

The first two parts of this collection comprise the complete correspondence (files 146-218) held in University College, London. Superbly organized and alphabetically presented, Part One consists of the first section (A-L) of Chadwick's letters both to and from leading figures of the day.

Chadwick corresponded with many of the most eminent politicians, churchmen and social reformers of the Victorian Age, including Anthony Ashley Cooper (7th Earl of Shaftsbury), Joseph Chamberlain and Randolph Churchill.

Part Two, the second and concluding section of the correspondence (M-Z), includes letters to and from such figures as John Stuart Mill as well as a host of reforming and political personalities. Also included are 21 notebooks of letters kept by Chadwick extending over the whole range of this correspondence.

Part One: The Correspondence, Section A
19 reels

Part Two: The Correspondence, Section B
18 reels

Complete collection: 37 reels