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London Boardmen (6846616533)
Summary
From 'Street Life in London', 1877, by John Thomson and Adolphe Smith:
“I had, for instance, an occasion of discussing with two boardmen who seemed worthy of a better position. The first had been trained as a smith, and engaged in the making of iron bedsteads. Now, however, smiths are no longer employed for this sort of work. It has been found more expedient and economical to make bedsteads with cast iron, and this change in the mode of manufacture threw many men out of employment, and notably my informant, who gradually sank to that state of misery when street life becomes the only means of existence. The other board man with whom I conversed was an old soldier, and had served nine years in the East Indies. He had shared in many glorious engagements, and was proud to relate that he had fought in Major-General Havelock's division at the relief of Lucknow. Probably his position in life would have been secured had he only received a good education; but he was not well enough read to occupy the post or undertake the business his friends were willing to offer him. He consequently dwindled down till he reached that point in life when anything that brings a few pence is heartily welcome. But the old soldier has still retained considerable energy. He is not content with carrying the boards during the day, but also seeks to make use of his evenings. He has, fortunately, often obtained a shilling a night at the Globe Theatre where he appeared as a supernumerary.”
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http://archives.lse.ac.uk/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=SR+1146
Lucknow is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The city has a long and rich history, having been founded in the late 18th century as the capital of the princely state of Awadh. It was a center of cultural and artistic excellence, and became known for its cuisine, poetry, and music. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Lucknow was a major center of the Indian independence movement, and it played a key role in the country's struggle for independence from British rule. There are a few theories about the origins of the name "Lucknow." One theory is that the name is derived from the Sanskrit word "lakshmana," which means "marksmanship." Another theory is that the name is derived from the Hindi word "lakshman," which means "having the qualities of a hero." It is also possible that the name is derived from the Urdu word "lakhnau," which means "fort of Lakhna," where Lakhna was the name of the chieftain who founded the city. Ultimately, the exact etymology of the name "Lucknow" is not certain. Lucknow played a significant role in the Indian Rebellion of 1857, also known as the Indian Mutiny or the First War of Independence. The rebellion was a major uprising against British rule in India, and it was sparked by a number of grievances, including the annexation of Awadh (the princely state of which Lucknow was the capital) by the British East India Company. During the rebellion, the city of Lucknow was the site of several significant battles and sieges. The most famous of these was the Siege of Lucknow, which took place in 1857 and was a major turning point in the rebellion. The rebellion was eventually put down by the British, but it had a lasting impact on India's struggle for independence and is considered a major event in Indian history.
Adolphe Smith is perhaps best known for his work documenting the lives of the poor in London's East End. In the late 1800s, he collaborated with the journalist John Thomson to produce a series of books that combined text and photographs to create a vivid portrait of the poverty and hardship faced by many of the city's working class. Smith's photographs are notable for their realism and attention to detail. He often captured everyday scenes of street life, such as children playing or workers going about their business. His images are also notable for their sympathetic portrayal of the people he photographed, which was unusual at a time when many photographers focused on sensationalism and shock value. In addition to his work in documentary photography, Smith also experimented with other forms of photography, including portraiture and landscape photography. He continued to work in photography until his death in 1920.
Collection - Lucknow, India
The capital and largest city of the Indian state of Uttar PradeshCollection - Adolphe Smith (1830–1920)
British photographer. Born in London in 1830, he began his career as a journalist and writer. However, he soon became interested in photography and began experimenting with the medium.
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