London History Series: The Other Side of Victorian London

Explore the gritty underbelly of Victorian London with Tim Potter, our regular guest speaker, as he uncovers the hidden histories of this iconic city. In his fifth lecture on the history of London, Tim delves deep into the challenges that plagued the East End, the city’s most notorious and impoverished district.

While Victorian London was a beacon of empire and progress, it was also a place of stark contrast, where poverty and crime were rampant and the working classes struggled against unimaginable hardship. Tim will explore the causes behind this widespread destitution, offering a compelling analysis of why the East End became an almost mythical symbol of urban deprivation.

But this story is not just one of despair. As Tim will reveal, it is also a story of resilience, reform, and the gradual yet powerful transformation of both London and Britain. Through the lens of social change, discover how these dark chapters laid the foundation for a more progressive society, sparking debates on justice, welfare and urban renewal that would shape the future of the nation.