Henry Mayhew and the British Seaman

This essay examines the lengthy study into the lives of London Labourers by Henry Mayhew, specifically the lives and working conditions of seamen. The study was conducted in a series of 10,000 word letters to the Morning Chronicle in 1850 to tremendous effect. Williams provides an account of Mayhew’s life, followed by an examination of the letters that seeks to answer the questions: why did Mayhew write them, and why seamen in particular? Why are the letters so valued by historians? What material do they cover? And, what issues raised within them deserve further scrutiny? Williams concludes that Mayhew’s work provides a rare insight into not just the conditions of working seamen, but their attitudes and emotions. He also provides insight into their lives on-shore, and their perceived role within British society as a whole, rather than keeping a narrow focus on their offshore activities. Williams concludes that the letters widen the perspective of historians, and allow them to place seafarers into a wider societal context.