Lambeth, Southwark, Bermondsey and Rotherhithe. Section from Charles Booth's seminal survey of London Poverty. With key.



This map is part of Charles Booth's Inquiry into the Life and Labour of the People in London. It is the only poverty survey for which the original notes and data have survived and therefore provides a unique insight into the development of the methodology and philosophy of social investigation within the UK.



Booth believed that social reformers had exaggerated London's poverty levels, claiming that a quarter of the city's population lived in unacceptable conditions. His research revealed the reality was even worse. Using a colour code ranging from yellow ('Wealthy') to black ('Lowest class. Vicious semi-criminal'), the map represents varying levels of poverty, street by street.



Printed colour. Original key included. [LDN7720]