As 19th-century Britain became increasingly urban and industrialized, the number of children living in towns grew rapidly. At the same time, urban society itself became increasingly divided, as rich and poor became more segregated. The difference between the well-off children of the smart town houses and the poor children of the slums, in their dress, education and activities, was all too obvious. In response, there was a great change in public attitudes towards children and childhood and a widening of legislative regulation and control, particularly with regard to youngsters at the lower end of the social scale. By the end of the century, concern over the position of deprived children found expression in the newly-formed charitable organizations, such as Dr Barnardo's and the NSPCC. Drawing on contemporary accounts and original research, this book describes in detail the changing lives of all classes of Victorian town children.