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Paupers Collection (page 2)

"Paupers: Forgotten Lives of Desperation and Hope" Step into the world of paupers, where destitution meets resilience

Background imagePaupers Collection: Highfield Infirmary / Military Hospital, Liverpool

Highfield Infirmary / Military Hospital, Liverpool
Nurses Home at the Highfield Infirmary for aged and infirm paupers in its First World War role as a Military Hospital. Date: circa 1916

Background imagePaupers Collection: I m hungry (colour litho)

I m hungry (colour litho)
668513 I m hungry (colour litho) by Dickes, William (fl.1843-81); Private Collection; (add.info.: I m hungry, and its very cold)

Background imagePaupers Collection: The Good King Was To Be Seen Giving Food And Drink to the Folk

The Good King Was To Be Seen Giving Food And Drink to the Folk
STC292432 The Good King Was To Be Seen Giving Food And Drink to the Folk, illustration from The Story of France by Mary Macgregor, 1920 (colour litho) by Rainey

Background imagePaupers Collection: Rowton House on Fieldgate Street, Whitechapel

Rowton House on Fieldgate Street, Whitechapel
Exterior of the Rowton House from the south west on Fieldgate Street, Whitechapel. Rowton Houses, of which six were erected around London, were large, purpose-built

Background imagePaupers Collection: Wanted A father, A little boys plea, c. 1915 (engraving)

Wanted A father, A little boys plea, c. 1915 (engraving)
PNP252347 Wanted..A father, A little boys plea, c.1915 (engraving) by American School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imagePaupers Collection: Christmas in the Workhouse (engraving)

Christmas in the Workhouse (engraving)
6021261 Christmas in the Workhouse (engraving) by Small, William (1843-1931) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Christmas in the Workhouse)

Background imagePaupers Collection: The new Black List; a comparative table of allowances to rich and poor paupers (engraving)

The new Black List; a comparative table of allowances to rich and poor paupers (engraving)
584633 The new Black List; a comparative table of allowances to rich and poor paupers (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imagePaupers Collection: Often He Was To Be Seen Riding Upon An Ass, plate from

Often He Was To Be Seen Riding Upon An Ass, plate from
STC292430 Often He Was To Be Seen Riding Upon An Ass, plate from The Story of France, by Mary MacGregor, 1920 (coloured litho) by Rainey

Background imagePaupers Collection: The Liverpool Industrial schools at Kirkdale, 1850

The Liverpool Industrial schools at Kirkdale, 1850
The Liverpool Industrial schools at Booth Lane, Kirkdale. Built in an Elizabethan style, it was designed as an alternative to the workhouse to accomodate juvenile paupers. Date: 1850

Background imagePaupers Collection: St Germans Workhouse, Torpoint, Cornwall

St Germans Workhouse, Torpoint, Cornwall
A view along Union Road, Torpoint, Cornwall. The long building behind the white wall, partially obscured by a tree, is the St Germans Union workhouse

Background imagePaupers Collection: Wheatenhurst Union Workhouse, Eastington

Wheatenhurst Union Workhouse, Eastington
The Wheatenhurst Union workhouse at Chippenham Platt, Eastington, Gloucestershire. The main building (right) has a greenhouse attached. A large pond is in the foreground

Background imagePaupers Collection: Workhouse dining hall, Oliver Twist film, 1948

Workhouse dining hall, Oliver Twist film, 1948
A workhouse dining hall interior, from the 1948 film of Oliver Twist, directed by David Lean. The religious mottos reminded the inmates that due gratitude was in order for the care they were receiving

Background imagePaupers Collection: Hexagonal workhouse, first floor plan

Hexagonal workhouse, first floor plan
The first floor layout of the model hexagon (or Y-plan) workhouse design by Sampson Kempthorne, issued by the Poor Law Commissioners

Background imagePaupers Collection: St Oswalds Hospital, Ashbourne, Derbyshire

St Oswalds Hospital, Ashbourne, Derbyshire. The building, designed by Henry Stevens, was originally the Ashbourne Union workhouse erected in 1848 on Dark Lane (later Union Street)

Background imagePaupers Collection: Whitechapel Workhouse Infirmary, East London

Whitechapel Workhouse Infirmary, East London
Exterior view of the Whitechapel Workhouse Infirmary on Charles Street (later Bakers Row, now Vallance Road), East London. A carriage stands outside the entrance

Background imagePaupers Collection: Salvation Army Shelter, Blackfriars Road, London

Salvation Army Shelter, Blackfriars Road, London
A crowd of vagrants awaiting admission to the Salvation Army shelter for men (known as The Embankment) at 115B Blackfriars Road, London

Background imagePaupers Collection: Sheffield Workhouse Token, 1815

Sheffield Workhouse Token, 1815
A one penny workhouse token of the Sheffield Workhouse, Yorkshire, from 1815. During a national shortage of copper coins in 1812-15

Background imagePaupers Collection: Hamburg workhouse - punishment of inmates

Hamburg workhouse - punishment of inmates
An illustration of the punishment meted out to idle paupers at the Hamburg workhouse in 1777. Offenders were placed in a large basket suspended by a rope over the dining hall table while the more

Background imagePaupers Collection: St Johns Childrens Home, Ipswich, Suffolk

St Johns Childrens Home, Ipswich, Suffolk
Children and nurses at the St Johns Childrens Home on Bloomfield Street in Ipswich, Suffolk. The childrens toys include two rocking horses

Background imagePaupers Collection: Mile End Old Town Workhouse, East London

Mile End Old Town Workhouse, East London
Previously part of the Stepney Union, Mile End Old Town in East London became an independent Poor Law Hamlet in 1857. The following year, work began on its new workhouse located on Bancroft Road

Background imagePaupers Collection: Crippled beggar with child. After a work from the 1630s by Pieter Jansz Quast

Crippled beggar with child. After a work from the 1630s by Pieter Jansz Quast

Background imagePaupers Collection: Beggar with his begging bowl. After a work from the 1630s by Pieter Jansz Quast

Beggar with his begging bowl. After a work from the 1630s by Pieter Jansz Quast

Background imagePaupers Collection: Mr Drouets pauper school, Tooting, Surrey

Mr Drouets pauper school, Tooting, Surrey
A view of the school for pauper children, privately run by Bartholomew Peter Drouet at Tooting in Surrey (now south west London). In 1849, a cholera epidemic broke out at the school

Background imagePaupers Collection: Inmates of Union Workhouse, Shipston on Stour, Worcs

Inmates of Union Workhouse, Shipston on Stour, Worcs
Aged female inmates of the Union workhouse believed to be at Shipston on Stour, Worcestershire. The women are wearing the typical workhouse uniform of long dress, shawl, apron, and bonnet

Background imagePaupers Collection: Union Workhouse, Orsett, Essex

Union Workhouse, Orsett, Essex
The Union workhouse at Orsett, Essex. The building, designed by Sampson Kempthorne, was erected in 1827. It later became Orsett Hospital

Background imagePaupers Collection: Holborn Union Workhouse, Mitcham, Surrey

Holborn Union Workhouse, Mitcham, Surrey
The dining hall at the Holborn Union workhouse in Mitcham, Surrey. The uniformed inmates sit at benches in segregated sections - the men can be seen at the rear of the hall

Background imagePaupers Collection: Union Workhouse, Cranbrook, Kent

Union Workhouse, Cranbrook, Kent
The Cranbrook Union workhouse, erected in 1838 at Hartley. The architect was John Whichcord

Background imagePaupers Collection: Salford Union Cottage Homes at Culcheth, Cheshire

Salford Union Cottage Homes at Culcheth, Cheshire
Swimming baths (right) and workshop buildings (left) at the Salford Union cottage homes at Culcheth in Cheshire. Some girls in their school uniforms walk across the scene

Background imagePaupers Collection: Union Workhouse, Braintree, Essex

Union Workhouse, Braintree, Essex
Entrance to the Braintree Union workhouse, Essex. Some of the workhouse staff are just visible in the doorway. The building, designed by William T Nash, was erected in 1837-8 on Rayne Road

Background imagePaupers Collection: Hexagonal workhouse, perspective view

Hexagonal workhouse, perspective view
Perspective view of the model hexagon (or Y-plan) workhouse design by Sampson Kempthorne, issued by the Poor Law Commissioners

Background imagePaupers Collection: Hexagonal workhouse, ground floor plan

Hexagonal workhouse, ground floor plan
The ground floor layout of the model hexagon (or Y-plan) workhouse design by Sampson Kempthorne, issued by the Poor Law Commissioners

Background imagePaupers Collection: Whitechapel Workhouse Infirmary, womens ward

Whitechapel Workhouse Infirmary, womens ward
An old womens ward in the Whitechapel Workhouse Infirmary on Charles Street (later Bakers Row, now Vallance Road), East London

Background imagePaupers Collection: Square workhouse, ground floor plan

Square workhouse, ground floor plan
The ground floor layout of the model square workhouse for 300 inmates, design by Sampson Kempthorne, issued by the Poor Law Commissioners

Background imagePaupers Collection: Lambeth Workhouse Schools, Norwood, South London

Lambeth Workhouse Schools, Norwood, South London
The parish of Lambeth operated a workhouse school on Elder Road, West Norwood, South London. In 1885, the premises were extended with the erection of the New School buildings

Background imagePaupers Collection: Union Workhouse, Preston, Lancashire

Union Workhouse, Preston, Lancashire
The massive Preston Union workhouse erected in 1865-8 on Watling Street Road, Fulwood, Lancashire, for up to 1500 inmates

Background imagePaupers Collection: Smithston Asylum and Poorhouse, Greenock, Renfrewshire

Smithston Asylum and Poorhouse, Greenock, Renfrewshire
The Smithston Asylum and Poorhouse, Greenock, Renfrewshire, Scotland, was opened in 1879 to house the areas lunatics and paupers

Background imagePaupers Collection: The Biblia pauperum ( Paupers Bible ) was a picture Bible to portray

The Biblia pauperum ( Paupers Bible ) was a picture Bible to portray
The Biblia pauperum (" Paupers Bible" ) was a picture Bible to portray the books of the Bible visually. Unlike a simple " illustrated Bible"

Background imagePaupers Collection: Louisa Twining

Louisa Twining (1820 - 1912), English philanthropic worker who devoted herself to issues and tasks related to the English Poor Law. Her family owned Twinings tea business on the Strand

Background imagePaupers Collection: Cartoon / poster - Home Sweet Home

Cartoon / poster - Home Sweet Home
An old woman walking with a stick follows a sign to the workhouse Paupers Entrance. Date: early 1900s

Background imagePaupers Collection: Cage of the unenfranchised

Cage of the unenfranchised. A wicker cage constrains hens and a parrot with a ticket listing those who are outside the democratic process criminals, aliens, Paupers, lunatics and women

Background imagePaupers Collection: Spanish Beggars from Burgos, Spain in the 19th century, 1878 (wood engraving)

Spanish Beggars from Burgos, Spain in the 19th century, 1878 (wood engraving)
KW441348 Spanish Beggars from Burgos, Spain in the 19th century, 1878 (wood engraving) by Dore, Gustave (1832-83); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imagePaupers Collection: Bedford Union Bread Token

Bedford Union Bread Token
A token issued to paupers by the Bedford Poor Law Union, exchangeable for bread at a local supplier. Date: Date unknown

Background imagePaupers Collection: Poplar Union Schools, near Brentwood, Essex

Poplar Union Schools, near Brentwood, Essex
View of the boys side of the Poplar Schools which were established in 1906 between Shenfield and Hutton, near Brentwood, Essex, to house pauper children away from the workhouse

Background imagePaupers Collection: Houseless Poor Asylum, Cripplegate, London

Houseless Poor Asylum, Cripplegate, London
A variety of barefoot individuals standing around outside the asylum or hostel on Banner Street, Cripplegate, London, operated by the Houseless Poor Society

Background imagePaupers Collection: Cover page of pamphlet, A Night in a Workhouse

Cover page of pamphlet, A Night in a Workhouse
The cover page of A Night in a Workhouse -- an undercover expose of conditions in the casual ward of the Lambeth workhouse in London

Background imagePaupers Collection: Salvation Army night shelter at supper time

Salvation Army night shelter at supper time
A midnight supper of soup and bread at a London Salvation Army shelter for men brought in from the streets




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"Paupers: Forgotten Lives of Desperation and Hope" Step into the world of paupers, where destitution meets resilience. From The Hollies Children's Home in Sidcup, Kent to the haunting scenes of Christmas Day in the Workhouse, these places bear witness to the struggles faced by those on society's margins. Market Hill and former workhouse in Maldon stand as a testament to the harsh realities endured by paupers seeking refuge. Luke Fildes' poignant painting "Houseless and Hungry" captures their plight with heartbreaking clarity. In Congleton Union Workhouse, Arclid, Cheshire, lives were defined by hardship but also moments of camaraderie amidst adversity. The Union Workhouses in Wokingham, Berkshire and Wantage, Oxfordshire provided shelter for countless souls yearning for a glimmer of hope. The walls of Poplar Workhouse in East London echo with tales of survival against all odds. Meanwhile, the East End Doss House remains a symbol of both despair and fleeting solace for those without a roof over their heads. Journeying further across Britain reveals more stories etched within stone walls - from Pontypool's Union Workhouse in Monmouthshire to Dursley's Union Workhouse in Gloucestershire. Each place bears witness to humanity's struggle against poverty. Finally, we arrive at Newport Pagnell's Union Workhouse in Buckinghamshire - an emblematic reminder that even amidst scarcity there is strength found through unity. These pauper institutions may have faded into history but they serve as reminders that compassion can triumph over adversity. Let us remember these forgotten lives; let us strive for a future where no one goes unnoticed or uncared for – where every person finds dignity and opportunity regardless of circumstance.