London Labour and the London Poor

While Henry Mayhew was the sole writer of the first three volumes of London Labour and the London Poor, the final volume contains contributions from three other 19th-century writers: Bracebridge Hemyng, Andrew Halliday, and John Binny.

Bracebridge Hemyng (1841-1901), who coauthored with Mayhew the sections on sex workers in Volume 4 of the work, was a British dime novelist. He was born in London to Dempster Hemyng, a lawyer, and followed in his footsteps by becoming a barrister in 1862. However, his legal career was unsuccessful, and he turned to writing, contributing to various publications and gaining moderate success with The Curate of Inveresk. He produced novels rapidly, totaling around 50 in the next 25 years. In 1868, Hemyng started writing for Edwin J. Brett in London, and his “Jack Harkaway” stories debuted in the weekly Boys of England on July 23, 1871. He was later exclusively employed by Frank Leslie, an American publisher. Hemyng moved to the US and continued writing for Leslie’s papers. Despite some disputes with publishers, he penned numerous stories, including those for the Police Gazette. While in the US, Hemyng lived on Staten Island. He returned to England in the 1880s, practiced law, and continued writing novels, although his popularity waned. He died in London on September 18, 1901.

Andrew Halliday (1830-1877), the contributor for the section on beggars in Volume 4 of Mayhew’s work, was a Scottish journalist and dramatist. He began his career in London as a writer for various periodicals, gaining recognition for his work. He contributed to the Cornhill Magazine and All the Year Round, and his essays were later compiled into volumes. He was also a cofounder and president of the Savage Club, and his interest in drama led him to write successful plays and burlesques. He partnered with other writers to create farces and domestic dramas. Notable works include Kenilworth, Daddy Gray, The Great City, and adaptations of famous authors’ works. Halliday had a talent for adapting novels into successful dramas, and Charles Dickens praised his adaptations. Unfortunately, he suffered from a brain condition and died in London in 1877. He was buried in Highgate Cemetery.

Less is known about the final coauthor, John Binny, an investigative journalist who wrote the section on thieves in Volume 4 of Mayhew’s work. This was not, however, his only collaboration with Mayhew. In 1862, they coauthored the book The Criminal Prisons of London, and Scenes of Prison Life, which gives the testimony of prisoners and guards from London prisons.

The 19th century in London was a time of both progress and challenges, with rapid urbanization leading to a stark contrast between wealth and poverty. Amid this socioeconomic backdrop, the emergence of various organizations aimed at addressing the plight of the urban poor became a defining feature of the era. One such organization was The Street Traders’ Protection Association, which played a significant role in advocating for the rights and welfare of the marginalized.

The Protection Association was established in response to the dire living conditions and exploitation facing workers in the burgeoning industries of 19th-century London. Formed in 1845, the organization aimed to address issues such as inadequate housing, low wages, and dangerous working conditions. Led by individuals with humanitarian values, the association sought to advocate for policies and reforms that would uplift the working class and provide them with better living standards and fair treatment.

Henry Mayhew’s work shed light on the lives of the urban poor and sought to amplify their voices. His investigative journalism revealed the harsh realities facing the lower strata of society, including the struggles of the working class and the deprivation of those living in poverty. In Volume 1 of the text, Mayhew references The Street Traders’ Protection Association and its rise following the loss of the “House of Lords.” However, despite their similar goals, the Association did not view Mayhew’s work favorably. The traders were upset about being portrayed as lazy and morally lax, and they felt that Mayhew’s report contained inaccuracies that negatively affected their livelihoods. They held assemblies to express their grievances and define themselves against Mayhew’s portrayal. These gatherings fostered a sense of class consciousness and unity among the street traders, highlighting a largely forgotten episode in the history of English class formation.