John Thomson (1837-1921)  'Street Life in London England, 1877-8 Carbon print (woodburytype) Victoria and Albert Museum   The Photographs  In  the late 1870s Thomson embarked on his most well known project,  photographing the lives the people living on the streets of London.   'Street  Life in London' was published in twelve instalments throughout 1877 and  the beginning of 1878. Three of Thomson's photographs appeared in each  edition with three stories mainly written by the journalist Adolphe  Smith, who held reformist views and worked as the official interpreter  for the TUC from 1886 to 1905.   With  social problems gaining increased attention in the 1870s through the  work of such men as Charles Dickens and the founder of homes for  destitute children, Dr Barnado, these vignettes of survival among the  poor proved popular with the public. The hopes and aspirations, values  and needs of those portrayed were recognisable to the readers of other  classes. The photogr...
 
 
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