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The Classic Slum: Salford Life in the First Quarter of the Century
A study which combines personal reminiscences with careful historical research, the myth of the 'good old days' is summarily dispensed with; Robert Roberts describes the period of his childhood, when the main affect of poverty in Edwardian Salford was degredation, and, despite great resources of human courage, few could escape such a prison.
266 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 1973
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August 19, 2020The author's memoir of growing up around the time of WWI in a slum neighbourhood of Salford where his parents had a simple shop. Customers preferred to be served by his mother because she sliced meat so finely that it looked like more on the plate.
Contains reflections on politics, culture, and the role of pawn shops. The principal theme is the story how the author became himself through the medium of reading - he recalls, during WWI loosing the family sugar ration one week on account of the three musketeers, though a kind woman helps him scoop up the mass of damp sugar off the street and into an improvised bag, however even once dry it remains resolutely grey - they still sell it though.
Eventually the family breaks up, the mother can't stand the work while the father is obsessed and sees the shop as a gold mine. The flip side of this book is an insight into why the poor remain poor, ie it is a distinctly expensive way of life. Few people are prepared to provide goods and services because so much credit has to be extended to families who don't have ready cash, those who do take that risk are keen to squeeze every farthing out of their customers. Roberts' family were sole traders and do not even buy wholesale, but for the most part are buying and reselling plus their own profit margin to those with no access to other shops.
Contains reflections on politics, culture, and the role of pawn shops. The principal theme is the story how the author became himself through the medium of reading - he recalls, during WWI loosing the family sugar ration one week on account of the three musketeers, though a kind woman helps him scoop up the mass of damp sugar off the street and into an improvised bag, however even once dry it remains resolutely grey - they still sell it though.
Eventually the family breaks up, the mother can't stand the work while the father is obsessed and sees the shop as a gold mine. The flip side of this book is an insight into why the poor remain poor, ie it is a distinctly expensive way of life. Few people are prepared to provide goods and services because so much credit has to be extended to families who don't have ready cash, those who do take that risk are keen to squeeze every farthing out of their customers. Roberts' family were sole traders and do not even buy wholesale, but for the most part are buying and reselling plus their own profit margin to those with no access to other shops.
January 8, 2018
The Classic Slum – Brilliant Social History of the Slums
I have recently re-read this classic book of social history, The Classic Slum wipes away any ‘romantic’ thoughts about early 20th century poverty in Salford. The author Robert Roberts wrote this book, born in 1905 wrote this in the latter part of his life, and it is a recollection of his first 25 years in Salford. Roberts was born into a slum family in Salford, but they were slightly better off than many as they owned the ‘corner’ shop. But like their neighbours, poverty was the wolf at the door that could strike them at any time it wished.
During the Salford slum clearances of the 1950s and 60s, he watched as his personal history was being removed from the face of the earth. Many of those who had left, especially the young held no regrets about its removal. Engels had referred to Salford as the classic slum with a mixture of the ship canal, mills and engineering surrounding them.
What Roberts does is remind people how hard life was in the slum or as he calls it ‘his village’ where existed the whole working class, which had its own form of social stratification amongst themselves. Pre-First World War class divisions were of the greatest consequences, and many looked upon social and economic inequality as the law of nature.
Roberts himself noted that in the latter part of the twentieth century a number of middle-class writers, historians and sociologists tended to sentimentalise the working class, often depicting them as cruder and caricaturing the whole class. Clearly, they ‘visited’ the slum but because they were not from the slum, they judged everything from their educated middle-class position in life.
Roberts paints a life for the slum dweller that was far more nuanced, and that before and after the Russian Revolution, had little to do with the Marxist speakers and agitators as the problems had little to with them, but more to do with the middle-class worries and interests.
Whatever the outlook of Edwardian England millions of people still retained the outlook and thought patterns imposed on them by their Victorian ‘betters’. They had accepted a steady decline in living standards but wished for nothing more than to be respectful and respected. For them being working-class was more like being part of a caste structure where movement was frowned upon.
What Roberts does in his book is shine a light into what were the dark areas of the city, a place many avoided unless necessary. While Great Britain had an Empire and many people made lots of money, that money had not reached into the slums. Even when the rich and middle-classes had ‘safaris’ into the slums, the poor were looked at as if savages and wild animals, like many of the peoples of the Empire.
What we see is the enforced deference in place pre-1914 and that on coming home a change in attitude, and no longer willing to accept ‘their lot’. Roberts describes the life in detail in the early years of the twentieth century and the reader engages with him, with the urge to make sure that these slums are gone forever.
This is one of the most important books on the history of the working-class and poverty in northern England at the beginning of the twentieth century. Roberts born three years before my own Grandmother, and a couple miles apart, but had similar experiences of their earlier years in the slums. Some may prefer to talk about the more decadent part of society of this time, but you should never forget there is more than one story to tell.
I can highly recommend this book.
I have recently re-read this classic book of social history, The Classic Slum wipes away any ‘romantic’ thoughts about early 20th century poverty in Salford. The author Robert Roberts wrote this book, born in 1905 wrote this in the latter part of his life, and it is a recollection of his first 25 years in Salford. Roberts was born into a slum family in Salford, but they were slightly better off than many as they owned the ‘corner’ shop. But like their neighbours, poverty was the wolf at the door that could strike them at any time it wished.
During the Salford slum clearances of the 1950s and 60s, he watched as his personal history was being removed from the face of the earth. Many of those who had left, especially the young held no regrets about its removal. Engels had referred to Salford as the classic slum with a mixture of the ship canal, mills and engineering surrounding them.
What Roberts does is remind people how hard life was in the slum or as he calls it ‘his village’ where existed the whole working class, which had its own form of social stratification amongst themselves. Pre-First World War class divisions were of the greatest consequences, and many looked upon social and economic inequality as the law of nature.
Roberts himself noted that in the latter part of the twentieth century a number of middle-class writers, historians and sociologists tended to sentimentalise the working class, often depicting them as cruder and caricaturing the whole class. Clearly, they ‘visited’ the slum but because they were not from the slum, they judged everything from their educated middle-class position in life.
Roberts paints a life for the slum dweller that was far more nuanced, and that before and after the Russian Revolution, had little to do with the Marxist speakers and agitators as the problems had little to with them, but more to do with the middle-class worries and interests.
Whatever the outlook of Edwardian England millions of people still retained the outlook and thought patterns imposed on them by their Victorian ‘betters’. They had accepted a steady decline in living standards but wished for nothing more than to be respectful and respected. For them being working-class was more like being part of a caste structure where movement was frowned upon.
What Roberts does in his book is shine a light into what were the dark areas of the city, a place many avoided unless necessary. While Great Britain had an Empire and many people made lots of money, that money had not reached into the slums. Even when the rich and middle-classes had ‘safaris’ into the slums, the poor were looked at as if savages and wild animals, like many of the peoples of the Empire.
What we see is the enforced deference in place pre-1914 and that on coming home a change in attitude, and no longer willing to accept ‘their lot’. Roberts describes the life in detail in the early years of the twentieth century and the reader engages with him, with the urge to make sure that these slums are gone forever.
This is one of the most important books on the history of the working-class and poverty in northern England at the beginning of the twentieth century. Roberts born three years before my own Grandmother, and a couple miles apart, but had similar experiences of their earlier years in the slums. Some may prefer to talk about the more decadent part of society of this time, but you should never forget there is more than one story to tell.
I can highly recommend this book.
September 20, 2016
The Classic Slum by Robert Roberts is a unique and fascinating book. It is also a book that presents a story that needs to be read if for no other reason than to become puzzled by the Goodreads general summary.
Roberts does not contend that living in the slum of Salford was an enjoyable experience, but he does make it quite clear that before World War 1 it was a place where the underclass carried on their lives without great angst, desire to revolt or even overtly complain too much; rather, Salford was an intricate world where the underclass existed through the varying levels of social status within their world. The people of Salford were loyal to the crown, conservative in their views and through decades of poverty still willing to keep their place as the underclass.
To read this book is to be given a first-hand view of poverty and personal pride, how social insurance existed where no one had any money to purchase financial insurance, where a person's status on their block was as precious as a King's ransom, and where what we in the 21C do see as in need of immediate assistance was, in fact, of little or no concern to the inhabitants of Salford. In Salford, a person of integrity, honesty and sensitivity to their peers was all that one needed to be. A revolution? Not a chance.
We must not read history backwards. This is the first lesson today's readers must learn if they want to understand history. Of course malnutrition, illiteracy and needless illness and suffering are major concerns, but these questions need to be addressed in the context of the times.
This book allows the reader the opportunity to see an Edwardian slum from the eyes of a person who was a child in the times, and grew up watching, and then recording, his family's struggle to maintain their status.
The war changed everything and this book carefully records how the world shifted rapidly after 1918. It for me, the revelation of why the people of Salford were content within their social class, why they had no desire to revolt or dream or be part of a revolution was eye-opening.
I urge everyone to read this book. It will open your eyes.
Roberts does not contend that living in the slum of Salford was an enjoyable experience, but he does make it quite clear that before World War 1 it was a place where the underclass carried on their lives without great angst, desire to revolt or even overtly complain too much; rather, Salford was an intricate world where the underclass existed through the varying levels of social status within their world. The people of Salford were loyal to the crown, conservative in their views and through decades of poverty still willing to keep their place as the underclass.
To read this book is to be given a first-hand view of poverty and personal pride, how social insurance existed where no one had any money to purchase financial insurance, where a person's status on their block was as precious as a King's ransom, and where what we in the 21C do see as in need of immediate assistance was, in fact, of little or no concern to the inhabitants of Salford. In Salford, a person of integrity, honesty and sensitivity to their peers was all that one needed to be. A revolution? Not a chance.
We must not read history backwards. This is the first lesson today's readers must learn if they want to understand history. Of course malnutrition, illiteracy and needless illness and suffering are major concerns, but these questions need to be addressed in the context of the times.
This book allows the reader the opportunity to see an Edwardian slum from the eyes of a person who was a child in the times, and grew up watching, and then recording, his family's struggle to maintain their status.
The war changed everything and this book carefully records how the world shifted rapidly after 1918. It for me, the revelation of why the people of Salford were content within their social class, why they had no desire to revolt or dream or be part of a revolution was eye-opening.
I urge everyone to read this book. It will open your eyes.
May 5, 2016
"This is no sentimental, rose-tinted view of working-class past. This is a book seeped in the sad history of Salford, where tens of thousands suffered from poverty and unemployment. Occasionally, those men and women fought back, struggling for change. Most of the time, they were ignored by the establishment, except when church or schoolmaster lectured them on morality and behaviour. While I don't necessarily agree with every aspect of Roberts' analysis (I'd like to see more studies of the people who made up the "undermass" for instance, and to what extent they could break out of this poverty trap), because this account is rooted in Roberts' own recollections, it is a living history one in which real people lived, suffered and struggled, sometimes laughing, often crying. For these reasons it deserves to be read by everyone, even those who have never visited the city."
Full review: http://resolutereader.blogspot.co.uk/...
Full review: http://resolutereader.blogspot.co.uk/...
July 27, 2022
Interesting, and admirably lacking in needless sentiment nor motivated exaggeration about how grim times were, this posed a useful document of social history in discussing the reminisces of a childhood in pre WWI Salford and providing well-researched context to these recollections.
It did, however, not make for the most satisfying of reads as a casual consumer of this book. I found it slightly repetitive, at times predictable, and most of all I struggled with the 'why?' of the book. At times it just felt like information provided without context. I appreciate that reading this as part of an exercise to read all fifty of a random selection of pelican non-fiction books I purchased a couple of years ago, I'm certainly not using the book in the way it was intended (i.e. for social historians) and have objective appreciation for the exercise, but it felt slightly flat.
It did, however, pose a number of interesting questions and comparisons with the lower social classes one hundred years later.
It did, however, not make for the most satisfying of reads as a casual consumer of this book. I found it slightly repetitive, at times predictable, and most of all I struggled with the 'why?' of the book. At times it just felt like information provided without context. I appreciate that reading this as part of an exercise to read all fifty of a random selection of pelican non-fiction books I purchased a couple of years ago, I'm certainly not using the book in the way it was intended (i.e. for social historians) and have objective appreciation for the exercise, but it felt slightly flat.
It did, however, pose a number of interesting questions and comparisons with the lower social classes one hundred years later.
January 10, 2012
This is one of the best history books I have ever read. A supreme example of first person social history which truly brings to life a period and environment.
August 20, 2017
Considering the subject matter it's very enjoyable read with the odd laugh out loud moment.
'During serious sex talk in workshop and factory what one heard most was exasperated complaint about wives so prudish, "virtuous" or uninterested in bed that copulation lost much of its attraction. I remember the savage dissatisfaction with his spouse of a young brass moulder. "Last night," he said (during what was made plain had been the "very lists of love"), "she goes and asks me not to forget to leave twopence for the gas!" The wife of a fettler in the same group was prone, it turned out, to reach her crise d'extase whilst eating an apple. A third, swathed in clothes, permitted her husband only the act per se and, on her mother's advice, allowed no "dirty" manual contact whatever. "It's about as exciting," he said, "as posting a letter!" This was a common inhibition. Only the chargehand (apostate from a militant religious sect) spoke of love life in a happier vein. He claimed that his partner, at the peak of sexual congress (and on sectarian instruction), was wont to cry "Rapture! Rapture! Praise the Lord!" Upon which he returned the standard exclamation. But the noise, he said, disturbed the neighbours, who beat on the bedroom wall with a boot. Another, a sad little man, complained that not only did his wife take no interest in proceedings, but she also insisted on a regular emolument of sixpence. She was, he said, saving for a holiday at Blackpool.'
An excellent and engaging snapshot of life up north at the start of the 20th century. Highly recommended.
'During serious sex talk in workshop and factory what one heard most was exasperated complaint about wives so prudish, "virtuous" or uninterested in bed that copulation lost much of its attraction. I remember the savage dissatisfaction with his spouse of a young brass moulder. "Last night," he said (during what was made plain had been the "very lists of love"), "she goes and asks me not to forget to leave twopence for the gas!" The wife of a fettler in the same group was prone, it turned out, to reach her crise d'extase whilst eating an apple. A third, swathed in clothes, permitted her husband only the act per se and, on her mother's advice, allowed no "dirty" manual contact whatever. "It's about as exciting," he said, "as posting a letter!" This was a common inhibition. Only the chargehand (apostate from a militant religious sect) spoke of love life in a happier vein. He claimed that his partner, at the peak of sexual congress (and on sectarian instruction), was wont to cry "Rapture! Rapture! Praise the Lord!" Upon which he returned the standard exclamation. But the noise, he said, disturbed the neighbours, who beat on the bedroom wall with a boot. Another, a sad little man, complained that not only did his wife take no interest in proceedings, but she also insisted on a regular emolument of sixpence. She was, he said, saving for a holiday at Blackpool.'
An excellent and engaging snapshot of life up north at the start of the 20th century. Highly recommended.
February 20, 2020
Robert Roberts writes from his own experience of growing up in Salford. He paints a stark picture of the overwhelming poverty of one of the worst slums in Manchester. He describes it as a rigid and static community, having little contact with outside communities and marked by a strict social hierarchy. In great detail, he describes the characteristics of life here: the harsh environment of substandard housing, the woeful state of public health, the ever present threat of hunger and the necessarily plain and unimaginative diet, the widespread ignorance and lack of education and culture, and the representatives of an oppressive society: the schoolmasters, clergy, prison and workhouse. As a result, there was a pervading atmosphere of degradation and insecurity, and while most of Salford's inhabitants carried on with a grim determination, the less-disciplined and self-respecting released their tensions in drunkenness and street brawling.
February 2, 2015
This is somewhere between a memoir and a legitimate history; as a historian, I would have preferred that Roberts perhaps used his own personal stories less heavily. At the same time, they often provided the most memorable parts of the book. I think as long as you take it for what it's worth and know that there will be a lot of anecdotes, it isn't as hard to accept. The topic is very interesting, and I say that having little interest in British domestic history and having read almost nothing on the matter. If you are interested in Victorian and early 20th century British history, it will be an book for you, with insights about that time that would be difficult to find elsewhere (I imagine, again citing my relative ignorance in this particular area).
August 20, 2023
The author focuses on Salford in Great Britain where he grew up, the time period sometime between early 1900's and 1930's. One of my favorite time periods. And so I was riveted to every page concerning the foods, housing, entertainments of the people of those days. One thing Roberts points out is that so many people who did not actually grow up in the poverty of that era and in that area of Great Britain remember (loudly) how wonderful it was, waxing nostalgic and seeing all through a rosy glow. The people themselves were survivors and quite courageous as a whole, but they were ignored and basically forgotten by the upper classes, except for a very few compassionate people. Thankfully, as time marched on, the voices became louder and more numerous.
October 23, 2025
I love history, especially anything about the north, anything about the working classes and anything about the nineteenth century and its impact. This has everything - information blends with anecdote, fact blends with opinions and it makes for a highly engaging read - some of it horrifying, some of it debunking myths and some of it powerful.
Roberts is one of the most accessible history writers I have come across. Interestingly, I have recently re-watched Hobson's Choice - set in Salford with some of the same streets named - and from a similar time period (Likewise I have taught An Inspector Calls several times which is similar in lots of ways.) Obviously, the fiction has a romanticised/sanitised edge to it but t still gives a flavour to support the facts in the book.
I will look out for his other books: 'Imprisoned Tongues' and 'A Ragged Schooling'.
Roberts is one of the most accessible history writers I have come across. Interestingly, I have recently re-watched Hobson's Choice - set in Salford with some of the same streets named - and from a similar time period (Likewise I have taught An Inspector Calls several times which is similar in lots of ways.) Obviously, the fiction has a romanticised/sanitised edge to it but t still gives a flavour to support the facts in the book.
I will look out for his other books: 'Imprisoned Tongues' and 'A Ragged Schooling'.
July 29, 2023
Wonderful book discussing life in Salford, UK at the turn of the 20th century. Having worked there, I really enjoyed learning about the city in a different time. As always, history is informs the world today.
Roberts does a phenomenal job at weaving his story with the facts of the era. It’s very unique and well done.
Roberts does a phenomenal job at weaving his story with the facts of the era. It’s very unique and well done.
June 10, 2017
DNF
I was looking forward to reading this, as I like to learn about the history of the places I live in, but heck did this author came across so very patronizing or what?! And the constant quoting of Engels, as in the father of communism, did my head in!!
I was looking forward to reading this, as I like to learn about the history of the places I live in, but heck did this author came across so very patronizing or what?! And the constant quoting of Engels, as in the father of communism, did my head in!!
February 8, 2019
An easy read with lots of details on slum life in Manchester, England the years right before and after World War I.
July 25, 2019
I loved this book. Very informative and many insights to human nature and policy. It gave me hope.
May 1, 2020
Such an interesting insight into an era that's a long time ago and yet not really that long ago.
April 1, 2024
Good. Slummy. Very in depth look into slum life in Victorian/Edwardian England.
April 19, 2025
Social history of the British working class is one of the obsessions I geek out over, so I was very excited to read this one. It was good enough, but not as much as I was expecting.
April 26, 2011
I bought this history book because it's on sale at nearly 80% off in one of Kinokuniya Bookstore promotional sales. I found most of its 10-chapter description, dialogues and episodes readable, informative and interesting since the author wrote from his direct experience, he was born in Salford at the start of the 20th century. He described how the poor in the Salford slum lived and worked before, during and after World War I.
There are, at least, the following points I noted in some pages:
1. "Among the fathers administering such punishment were men who in childhood had themselves received forty-eight strokes of the birch - a common sentence - at the local prison, for small misdemeanours." (p. 45) * Presumably, its branch/twig is tough, not easily snapped.
2. "Half our customers, either strike-bound or out of work, had failed to clear their tick books." (p. 82) * tick book = สมุดเซ็นเชื่อ (in Thai), its literal meaning being a credit book with the names of those bought things on credit.
3. "When bad times came, our tick customers at the shop were, of course, forced to adjust their diet; it began to fall off in quality, quantity and variety." (p. 110) * Reading about the poor makes you feel humble and have pity on them. Reading about the new rich is snobbish and a waste of time.
In short, I liked its 13 illustrations and the author's adventure during sugar famine before Christmast 1916(pp. 207-209).
There are, at least, the following points I noted in some pages:
1. "Among the fathers administering such punishment were men who in childhood had themselves received forty-eight strokes of the birch - a common sentence - at the local prison, for small misdemeanours." (p. 45) * Presumably, its branch/twig is tough, not easily snapped.
2. "Half our customers, either strike-bound or out of work, had failed to clear their tick books." (p. 82) * tick book = สมุดเซ็นเชื่อ (in Thai), its literal meaning being a credit book with the names of those bought things on credit.
3. "When bad times came, our tick customers at the shop were, of course, forced to adjust their diet; it began to fall off in quality, quantity and variety." (p. 110) * Reading about the poor makes you feel humble and have pity on them. Reading about the new rich is snobbish and a waste of time.
In short, I liked its 13 illustrations and the author's adventure during sugar famine before Christmast 1916(pp. 207-209).
November 14, 2007
Well written, this book both stoked and challenged my sympathy for the urban poor in England. Beset by horrible living conditions and rapacious employers and businesses, the industrial poor nevertheless made unhealthy, financially runious decisions.
Though he doesn't develop the idea much, it is an interesting book to read to explore the mentality of chronic poverty.
Though he doesn't develop the idea much, it is an interesting book to read to explore the mentality of chronic poverty.
December 21, 2012
A vivid immersion into the slums of Edwardian Britain. Effectively shatters idealizations of Victorian/Edwardian life. Utterly fascinating.
March 14, 2017
My neighbour passed this to me over our back fence. I only read one story: "Snuffy." It is about an 11-year-old boy's experiences with the public library in Edwardian England. Very entertaining.
November 21, 2010
Much more than a memoir and some points are made which other social historians miss.
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