Life on the mean streets of 19th-century London

Jacqueline Riding reveals the lives of poor working-class people who lived in 19th-century London, including Charlie Chaplin and George Tinworth

Published: March 13, 2026 at 8:00 AM

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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.

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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. Go beyond the podcast.

Authors

Charlotte VosperContent producer

Charlotte Vosper is a content producer at HistoryExtra

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