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Boys crossing-sweepers
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Boys crossing-sweepers
Boys crossing-sweepers, London boys asking an affluent gentlemen for a penny for keeping the streets tidy. Date: circa 1850s
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Media ID 23053986
© Mary Evans Picture Library
1850 1850s Affluent Barefoot Beggars Begging Broom Crossing Gentlemen Labour Money Poor Sweeper Sweepers Sweeping
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures a poignant moment in the bustling streets of Victorian London during the 1850s. In the image, a group of barefoot boys, dressed in tattered clothing, are seen approaching an affluent gentleman, their brooms in hand. The boys, known as 'sweepers' or 'crossing sweepers,' earned their living by keeping the streets clean and tidy, often asking for a penny from passersby for their efforts. The boys' hopeful gazes and outstretched hands convey their desperation for a meager income to support themselves and their families. The stark contrast between the boys' poverty and the gentleman's wealth underscores the vast social divide that existed during this period. The 19th century saw the rise of industrialization and urbanization, which led to the growth of a large working-class population living in squalid conditions. Child labor was common, and many children were forced to work long hours in dangerous conditions to help support their families. Despite the hardships they faced, the boys in this photograph maintain a sense of dignity and pride in their work. Their determination to earn a living, no matter how small the task, speaks to their resilience and resourcefulness. The image serves as a powerful reminder of the harsh realities of life for the urban poor during the Victorian era and the importance of empathy and compassion towards those less fortunate.
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