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the experience of reading in Britain, from 1450 to 1945...

Reading Experience Database UK Historical image of readers
 
 
 
 

Record Number: 24670


Reading Experience:

Evidence:

19 March 1853: 'I turned into the workmen's Room for a moment [...] About a dozen men were enjoying the smoking room. Maria [Lady Charlotte's daughter] counted 50 in the long room all reading or writing and perfectly silent. So intent were they on their books that no one looked up as we went in. Not a head was raised till I spoke in a low voice to one of the readers and asked if they had all they wanted [...] Such a sight I never hoped to see, so orderly, so well dressed, so rationally happy; I only hope it may last.'

Century:

1850-1899

Date:

19 Mar 1853

Country:

Wales

Time

n/a

Place:

city: Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil
other location: Workers' club

Type of Experience
(Reader):
 

silent aloud unknown
solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown

Type of Experience
(Listener):
 

solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown


Reader / Listener / Reading Group:

Reading Group:

Dowlais Iron Company workers

Age:

Adult (18-100+)

Gender:

Male

Date of Birth:

n/a

Socio-Economic Group:

Labourer (non-agricultural)

Occupation:

n/a

Religion:

n/a

Country of Origin:

n/a

Country of Experience:

Wales

Listeners present if any:
e.g family, servants, friends

n/a


Additional Comments:

n/a



Text Being Read:

Author:

Title:

n/a

Genre:

Unknown

Form of Text:

Print: Book

Publication Details

n/a

Provenance

read in situ


Source Information:

Record ID:

24670

Source:

Print

Author:

Lady Charlotte Schreiber

Editor:

Earl of Bessborough

Title:

Extracts from her Journal 1853-1891

Place of Publication:

London

Date of Publication:

1952

Vol:

n/a

Page:

4-5

Additional Comments:

n/a

Citation:

Lady Charlotte Schreiber, Earl of Bessborough (ed.), Extracts from her Journal 1853-1891, (London, 1952), p. 4-5, http://www.open.ac.uk/Arts/reading/UK/record_details.php?id=24670, accessed: 25 November 2024


Additional Comments:

Club, with reading room, had been recently established by Lady Charlotte Guest for labourers at her late husband's ironworks (she took the name Schreiber on her secnd marriage).

   
   
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