Hostname: page-component-7479d7b7d-qlrfm Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-11T04:02:58.353Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Gender, occupation, illiteracy and the urban economic environment: Leicester, 1760–1890

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 January 2005

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between gender, occupation, illiteracy and economic development in Leicester from 1760 to 1890. Although Leicester's economy was at a proto-industrial stage of development, heavily dependent on domestic and workshop-based industries, interesting comparisons may be made with industrializing factory towns. There was similar reliance on child and female labour, and the industries appeared to develop in a climate of illiteracy. This new local case study is especially important for previous research concerning gender, occupation, illiteracy and economic development has tended to focus on urban market towns or newly developing factory towns.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 2004 Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)