Life on the mean streets of 19th-century London

HistoryExtra podcast

HistoryExtra

History

4.3 • 4.7K Ratings

🗓️ 13 March 2026

⏱️ 33 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

What can Charlie Chaplin's life tell us about the experiences of poor working-class people in 19th- and early 20th-century London? Quite a lot, it turns out. Speaking to Charlotte Vosper, author and historian Jacqueline Riding reveals the world of poverty, tragedy and joy that played out in the streets of Lambeth and Walworth – and how Chaplin can help us uncover other, less-well known stories. ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCAST To learn more about the life and times of Charlie Chaplin, don't miss Rob Baker's HistoryExtra article exploring Chaplin's return to London as a famous film star after the First World War: https://bit.ly/4jyvQRJ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Now, are all the traitors present?
0:02.0	Let's get started, shall we?
0:04.0	From rags to riches.
0:06.0	I'm so sick of this.
0:07.0	Working like a dog and being treated worse.
0:09.0	Yorkshire to New York.
0:10.0	Poor climbers, you and me.
0:12.0	A life dedicated to revenge.
0:14.0	Let's make this an occasion to remember.
0:16.0	A Woman of Substance on Channel 4.
0:19.0	Stream now.
0:20.0	McDonald's cards are here.
0:22.4	24 cards to find and free food in every pack.
0:25.7	Choose from a range of cards meals, including the legendary double big man.
0:30.1	Order a cards mill and get a pack today.
0:33.8	18 plus UK only.
0:35.2	With selected meals subject to availability.
0:36.8	Ends 27th of April app may be required.
0:38.8	CmoodD Rules.co.ukukuk.U.K.
0:45.1	What was life like for London's poor working classes in the 19th century?
0:50.7	In this episode of the History Extra podcast,
0:53.8	Jacqueline Riding chronicles the ways in which their
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from HistoryExtra, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of HistoryExtra and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.