Books in the Cambridge Library Collection - British and Irish History, 19th Century series

Dinah Craik (1826-1887) was a prolific writer of novels, poetry and essays. In this work Craik provided advice for single women like herself. She was critical of learned helplessness and advocated independence and cross-class sympathy, believing women should 'lead active, intelligent, industrious lives: lives complete in themselves'.

John Ramsay McCulloch (1789-1864) wrote or edited numerous works on the nascent field of political economy (several are reissued in this series). Featuring many crisply annotated entries, this 1845 bibliography ranges in coverage from money and prices to slavery and foundling hospitals, reflecting the sheer breadth of McCulloch's reading.

Goldwin Smith (1823-1910) was a British historian and journalist considered by contemporaries a leading proponent of left-wing intellectual radicalism. This volume, first published in 1863, contains a collection of letters written by Smith examining British colonial interests, including government and possible self-determination, from an anti-imperialist standpoint.

Charlotte Montefiore published A Few Words to the Jews anonymously in 1853. The nine essays cover topics including the Sabbath, Jewish women, Jewish materialism, and religious festivals. The work is a rare example of a nineteenth-century Anglo-Jewish writer's call for religious reform and social justice within her community.

This Life of Victorian radical politician Richard Cobden (1804-1865) was first published in 1881. It was considered outstanding in its careful and systematic use of source material, as Morley had access not only to Cobden's papers but to those of many of his friends and associates.

Frederich Engels (1820-1895) was a German businessman and renowned political theorist. This influential volume, first published in German in 1845 and in English in 1892, contains Engels' classic account of early Victorian working-class life in Manchester and remains a vivid portrait of nineteenth-century urban England.

Richard Jefferies (1848-1887) remains one of the most thoughtful and most lyrical writers on the English countryside. First published in 1884, this volume contains a collection of previously published articles and essays, in which Jefferies describes rural life and folk traditions in England in his highly descriptive style.

Richard Jefferies (1848-87) remains one of the most thoughtful and most lyrical writers on the English countryside. This volume, first published posthumously in 1892, contains a collection of essays vividly describing the daily life, circumstances and hardships of Victorian English farmers, labourers and their wives.

George Sturt (1863-1927) was a British wheelwright and writer who generally used the pen-name George Bourne. First published in 1922, this volume contains Sturt's biography of his uncle, farmer John Smith, in which Sturt sensitively describes the domestic life and farming methods of a vanished way of life.

Lawless was a novelist born in County Kildare in 1845. Despite her great love for Ireland, she eventually became disillusioned with its politics and moved to England. In this work, she intersperses an account of a year spent tending to her garden in Surrey with autobiographical and philosophical ruminations.

Mona Caird (1854-1932) was a British novelist and early radical feminist social critic. This volume, first published in 1897, contains a collection of Caird's influential feminist essays in which she criticises contemporary ideas of marriage and motherhood, presenting a detailed account of late-Victorian radical feminist views and ideals.

The Women of England, published in 1839, was an important work on the role and status of middle-class women, stressing the influence they could exert both on family life and society. She argues for the proper moral and intellectual training of girls, while accepting conventional restrictions on women.

First published in 1869, this influential volume contains a compilation of essays written by prominent Victorian feminists and their supporters. Edited by campaigner Josephine Butler (1828-1906), these essays discuss a variety of issues considered of importance to the early feminist movement, illustrating the concerns and aims of the movement.

Josephine Elizabeth Butler (1828-1906) was a prominent English feminist. This volume, first published anonymously in 1871, explores the legal ramifications of the Contagious Diseases Acts. Butler denounces the Acts for denying women their civil rights and discusses how their repeal, with universal suffrage, would prevent this situation from recurring.

Earl Grey's 1853 summary of British colonial policy and activity during the administration he served as colonial secretary is an important primary source for students of the era. Volume 1 includes a series of letters written to Lord John Russell focusing upon the Caribbean, British North America, and Australia.

Published in 1883, this three-volume account was the first scholarly historical survey of English criminal law's development from the thirteenth century. A classic work, it covers the different courts exercising criminal jurisdiction, procedure in criminal cases, punishments, criminal responsibility, the classification of different types of offence, and specific criminal offences.

Harriet Martineau (1802-1876) was a British scholar. These volumes, first published in 1877, contain her autobiography, which she wrote in 1855, believing herself to be dying. The books remain remarkable for her vivid descriptions and candid opinions of Victorian society. Volume 1 covers her life until 1834.

Caroline Norton (1808-1877) was a Victorian author and campaigner for social reform. In this volume Norton describes how upon marriage in 1855 women became legally 'non-existent'. She explains the effect of this on women estranged from their husbands using her own experiences as an example.

John Ramsay McCulloch (1789-1864) wrote or edited numerous works on the nascent field of political economy (several are reissued in this series). This 1857 collection of thirteen pieces, by various authors, comprises 'a full exposition of the principles that determine the value of paper currency'.

John Ramsay McCulloch (1789-1864) wrote or edited numerous works on the nascent field of political economy (several are reissued in this series). This 1859 collection of eleven miscellaneous pieces ranges in date from 1685 to 1808, and in content across the economic impact of building, charity, whaling and pawnbroking.

This 1863 work aimed to provide a general account of the main principles of the English criminal justice system for the intelligent layman. This covers mens rea and the classification and definition of specific crimes, but focuses mainly on English criminal procedure and the rules of evidence in criminal law.

Written by a prolific Scottish author, this comprehensive housekeeping guide was first published in 1826. The book contains recipes, cooking advice, instructions for presenting and preserving food, and other domestic hints. This second edition appeared in 1827 and includes a new section on French cookery and 200 extra recipes.

An expert in banking, Sir Robert Harry Inglis Palgrave (1827-1919) also formulated plans to further the general understanding of economics. The three volumes of this landmark work originally appeared in 1894, 1896 and 1899. With entries written by a distinguished group of international contributors, it made economic subjects far more accessible to English readers.

In 1832, soldier and diplomat Alexander Burnes (1805-41) embarked on a covert expedition to Bukhara, to survey the country and observe the activities of the Russians in central Asia. This bestselling account was published in 1834. Volume 1 describes the journey to Bukhara, through Afghanistan into barely explored territory.

Richard Jefferies (1848-87) remains one of the most thoughtful and most lyrical writers on the English countryside. This two-volume work, first published in 1880, contains a collection of essays vividly describing the daily life, hardships and pleasures of Victorian English farmers, labourers and their wives.

Elizabeth Fry (1780-1845) was a prominent Quaker and social reformer, particularly remembered for her work to reform prison conditions. This memoir, based on her letters and diaries, was edited by two of her daughters, and was first published in 1847. Volume 1 ends in 1825.

Rider Haggard's survey of the state of English agriculture was carried out in 1901-1902, and published twice in book form. It shows a picture of agriculture in poor condition, and suggests reforms to improve matters. The book was well received, and many of Haggard's suggestions were later implemented.

The achievements of the polymath Sir John Lubbock, Lord Avebury (1834-1913) spanned banking, politics and science. This two-volume biography by Horace G. Hutchinson (1859-1932), first published in 1914, traces Lubbock's extraordinary life and career, from the early influence of Charles Darwin to professional, intellectual and philanthropic pursuits.

Charles Knight's six-volume work on London, published 1841-4, relies on the skills of eminent artists to bring both the present and the past of London to life. Arranged thematically rather than chronologically or geographically, this is a fascinating account of what was then the greatest city in the world.

Henry Solly (1813-1903) was a British Unitarian minister and social reformer. He is remembered today for his involvement in Working Men's Clubs and the Garden City movement. Volume 1 of Solly's autobiography, first published in 1893, focuses on his childhood and his early intellectual and political development.