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Henry Sharpe's journals are an early-Victorian treasure-trove, rich with observations about the great political and social concerns of the time, as well as the ups and downs of family life and raising children.
Henry Sharpe's journals are an early-Victorian treasure-trove. This remarkable document is rich with observations about the great political and social concerns of the time, with an extraordinary range of ideas and depth of discussion on literary, artistic and philosophical matters. He reveals detail about historic events not mentioned elsewhere, expanding our knowledge of Hampstead and of wider London history.
Sharpe's great passion was for education. He spent much of his spare time teaching in local schools and setting up Reading Rooms and evening classes for working men. His accounts of the ups and downs of family life and raising children are both touching and amusing, putting Victorian fatherhood into a new light. His trenchant views, especially on political and religious matters, are often startling, contradicting the usual stereotype of the Victorian middle classes.
Henry Sharpe's journals are an early-Victorian treasure-trove. This remarkable document is rich with observations about the great political and social concerns of the time, with an extraordinary range of ideas and depth of discussion on literary, artistic and philosophical matters. He reveals detail about historic events not mentioned elsewhere, expanding our knowledge of Hampstead and of wider London history.
Sharpe's great passion was for education. He spent much of his spare time teaching in local schools and setting up Reading Rooms and evening classes for working men. His accounts of the ups and downs of family life and raising children are both touching and amusing, putting Victorian fatherhood into a new light. His trenchant views, especially on political and religious matters, are often startling, contradicting the usual stereotype of the Victorian middle classes.
Price: $105.00
Pages: 432
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Inc.
Imprint: London Record Society
Series: London Record Society
Publication Date:
26 August 2025
Trim Size: 9.61 X 5.91 in
ISBN: 9780900952104
Format: Hardcover
BISACs:
HISTORY / Europe / Great Britain / General, Biography, Literature and Literary studies, History and Archaeology, Philosophy and Religion
Foreword
Introduction
List of Principal characters
1. Preface
Sharpe Family history
2. 1830
A young man takes stock of himself and considers his prospects
3. 1840
Marriage and children; life in the City; wayward relatives; a move to the country contemplated
4. 1841
A marriage; a trip to Portugal; the move to Hampstead
5. 1842
Settling in at Hampstead; Sir Thomas Maryon Wilson; war in Portugal causes business problems; the Hampstead National school
6. 1843
A death and a birth in the family
7. 1844
Schools and teacher training; efforts to revive the Library; a new Reading Room for young men; a cricket club; the death of a friend; a bank robbery; Sir Thomas plans to build next to the Heath
8. 1845
The opening of the new Royal Exchange; Sir Thomas starts building his Viaduct on the Heath; the Reading Rooms Anniversary Party and first annual report
9. 1846
Personal Loss, financial Crisis and family illness
10. 1847
The Hampstead Conversazione; education and government intervention; the resolution of financial problems
11. Postscript
Bibliography
Index
Introduction
List of Principal characters
1. Preface
Sharpe Family history
2. 1830
A young man takes stock of himself and considers his prospects
3. 1840
Marriage and children; life in the City; wayward relatives; a move to the country contemplated
4. 1841
A marriage; a trip to Portugal; the move to Hampstead
5. 1842
Settling in at Hampstead; Sir Thomas Maryon Wilson; war in Portugal causes business problems; the Hampstead National school
6. 1843
A death and a birth in the family
7. 1844
Schools and teacher training; efforts to revive the Library; a new Reading Room for young men; a cricket club; the death of a friend; a bank robbery; Sir Thomas plans to build next to the Heath
8. 1845
The opening of the new Royal Exchange; Sir Thomas starts building his Viaduct on the Heath; the Reading Rooms Anniversary Party and first annual report
9. 1846
Personal Loss, financial Crisis and family illness
10. 1847
The Hampstead Conversazione; education and government intervention; the resolution of financial problems
11. Postscript
Bibliography
Index