Who were the rich? : a biographical directory of British wealth-holders
Author(s)
Bibliographic Information
Who were the rich? : a biographical directory of British wealth-holders
Social Affairs Unit, c2009
- v. 1 : pbk
Available at 1 libraries
Note
Includes index
Vol. 1. 1809-39
Description and Table of Contents
Description
"Who Were the Rich? Volume One: 1809-1839" is a unique and original work which provides comprehensive biographical information on all 881 persons who left personal estates of GBP100,000 or more in Britain between 1809, when these sources begin in a usable form, and 1839; GBP100,000 is the equivalent of about GBP8 million today. This work by William D. Rubinstein, the leading academic expert on wealth-holding in Britain over the last two centuries, is the first in a series which will provide similar information on all persons leaving GBP100,000 or more down to 1914. For every such person, information is provided on his or her occupation, family background, education, religion, political involvement, and career. None of this information has ever been compiled before in any source, and will provide a unique and accurate anatomy of the British wealthy classes during and just after the Napoleonic Wars. The picture which emerges is a surprisingly conservative one, with wealth centred not in the new industries of the Industrial Revolution, but in London, especially the City, in the landed aristocracy, and in fortunes made in 'Old Corruption' by government appointees and military officers.
Professor Rubinstein's Introduction summarizes the findings and outlines the main trends.
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