5.5.1. Children, Women and Workers

As primary education became compulsory from the late nineteenth century, children became an important category of readers. Production of school textbooks became critical for the publishing industry.

As schools started requiring education for all children in the late 1800s, there was a significant increase in the amount of literature targeted specifically at children. The focus shifted to producing school textbooks that would be widely distributed in educational institutions, showing the growing recognition of children as a vital audience for printed materials.

Think of school textbooks today that help students learn various subjects. Just like how we have courses for science, math, and literature, the late nineteenth century saw similar developments when education became compulsory, leading to a surge in children's literature. It’s comparable to how today’s educational programs are structured to cater to different age groups and learning levels.

A children’s press, devoted to literature for children alone, was set up in France in 1857. This press published new works as well as old fairy tales and folk tales.

In 1857, a specialized press began publishing content exclusively for children, highlighting how important the demand for children's literature had become. This included both new children's stories and classic fairy tales from folklore, indicating a formal recognition of the importance of cultivating reading habits among young audiences.

Imagine the variety of children's books available today—from fairy tales to adventure stories. In the late 1800s, a similar change was happening as publishers recognized the value of entertaining and educating children through printed literature, helping to shape their understanding of the world.

Women became important as readers as well as writers. Penny magazines were especially meant for women, as were manuals teaching proper behaviour and housekeeping.

During this period, women emerged not only as significant readers but also as influential writers. Publications like penny magazines catered to women's interests, promoting reading and literacy among women while also providing practical advice on behavior and household management.

Consider today’s lifestyle magazines that focus on health, family, and home improvement. Just as these modern publications speak directly to contemporary issues, the penny magazines and manuals of the late nineteenth century addressed the specific needs and interests of women during that period.

When novels began to be written in the nineteenth century, women were seen as important readers. Some of the best-known novelists were women: Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, George Eliot.

As novels gained popularity, women emerged as both readers and authors, making significant contributions to literature. Prominent female authors of the time wrote compelling narratives that explored themes relevant to women's lives, thereby redefining the role of women in literature and society.

Just like today where female authors like J.K. Rowling and Colleen Hoover influence readers worldwide, in the 19th century, authors like Jane Austen played a crucial role in literature, offering perspectives on women's experiences and challenges, thus inspiring generations of readers.

Lending libraries had been in existence from the seventeenth century onwards. In the nineteenth century, lending libraries in England became instruments for educating white-collar workers, artisans and lower-middle-class people.

Lending libraries grew in popularity in the 19th century, becoming vital for the self-education of workers and lower-middle-class individuals. These libraries allowed people access to a vast range of literature which they might not have been able to afford otherwise, empowering them through knowledge and learning.

Think of community libraries today that provide free access to books for everyone. They serve a similar purpose as those 19th-century libraries, enabling people from all backgrounds to advance their education and improve their lives through reading.

Sometimes, self-educated working-class people wrote for themselves. After the working day was gradually shortened from the mid-nineteenth century, workers had some time for self-improvement and self-expression.

As working conditions improved and the workday was reduced, working-class individuals began finding time to express themselves through writing. They authored political tracts and autobiographies, sharing their experiences and advocating for rights, thus contributing to the growing discourse on labor and class issues.

Similar to modern blogs and social media, where individuals share their stories and viewpoints, 19th-century workers used writing as a tool for self-expression and to discuss social justice, enabling wider awareness about their plight.

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