Bread, Knowledge and Freedom - A Study of Nineteenth-Century Working Class Autobiography

First published in 1981, Bread, Knowledge and Freedom is a study of 142 working class autobiographies all of which cover some part of the period between 1790 and 1850. It is a full-scale examination of a form of source material that is significantly extensive. The book illustrates many aspects of ordinary working-class family life as well as the working-class pursuit of knowledge and literacy and the attempts of the middle-class educators to impose their notion of 'useful knowledge.' Dr. Vincent concludes with an assessment of the contribution of autobiography to nineteenth century working class history. This book will be of interest to students of history, sociology and literature.

List of contents

Preface 1. Introduction 2. The Sense of the Past 3. Love and Death 4. The Family Economy 5. Childhood 6. The Pursuit of Books 7. The Idea of Useful Knowledge 8. Knowledge and Freedom 9. Past and Present Bibliography Index

About the author

David Vincent

Summary

First published in 1981, Bread, Knowledge and Freedom is a study of 142 working class autobiographies all of which cover some part of the period between 1790 and 1850.

Product details

• Authors: David Vincent, Vincent David
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 01.10.2023
• EAN: 9781032592428
• ISBN: 978-1-0-3259242-8
• No. of pages: 229
• Series: Routledge Revivals
• Subjects: Fiction > Narrative literature > Letters, diaries; Humanities, art, music > History > General, dictionaries; European History, BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Historical, BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / General, HISTORY / General, LITERARY CRITICISM / General, HISTORY / Social History, Social & cultural history, HISTORY / Modern / 19th Century, British & Irish history, Social and cultural history, Sociology: work & labour, Social classes, Modern Period, C 1500 Onwards, Sociology: work and labour, BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Memoirs