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Elderly inmates, Islington Workhouse, London
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Elderly inmates, Islington Workhouse, London
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 4464267
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10415928
Afternoon Apron Bonnet Church Yard Cornwallis Elderly Grave Yard Inmates Islington L Aw Legislation Pauper Paupers Poor Poverty Quiet Shawl Sunday Workhouse Workhouses 1895
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This poignant photograph captures a quiet and contemplative moment in the lives of elderly female inmates at the Islington Workhouse in London during the late 1890s. Dressed in uniforms of drab aprons and long, shawl-covered dresses, these women, many of advanced age, sit together on a narrow road leading out of the workhouse, their faces etched with the lines of hardship and poverty. The scene is reminiscent of a Sunday afternoon, with the sun casting long shadows over the urban landscape. The Islington Workhouse, also known as the Cornwallis Workhouse, was a place of last resort for the destitute and pauperized population of London. Established under the Poor Law of 1834, workhouses were intended to provide a deterrent to idleness and to offer a means of support for those who were unable to care for themselves. However, living conditions were often harsh, with inadequate food, long hours of labor, and little comfort or privacy. The women in this photograph, many of whom are wearing bonnets or headscarves, appear to be taking a brief respite from their daily chores. Their quiet demeanor and the serene setting of the workhouse grounds, with its churchyard and graveyard in the background, offer a stark contrast to the harsh realities of their lives. The image serves as a poignant reminder of the historical struggles faced by the elderly and impoverished population during this period and offers a glimpse into the lives of those who were often forgotten by society. This photograph, taken in 1895, is a powerful testament to the enduring human spirit and the resilience of those who lived through the hardships of the Victorian era. It is a reminder of the importance of compassion and care for the most vulnerable members of our society, a lesson that remains relevant today.
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