Hot off the Press - Two New publications.

Two recently published books are now available to buy from the Thackray Museum shop. Cholera and Conflict, 19th Century Cholera in Briatin and social unrest was launched at a unique event which combined a conference, book launch and keynote lecture by Bill Bynum of University College London.

In late 1831 the first great epidemic of Asiatic cholera struck Britain. The pandemic caused widespread panic wherever it occured, often resulting in civil unrest. The medical profession were often the target of mob violance based upon the fear that cholera victims would be taken to be dissected in the name of medical science. Whilst erroneous, this belief sometimes resulted in rioting and other forms of unrest.

The second book To Prove I'm Not Forgot: Living and dying in a Victorian City, Throws light on the occupations and pastimes of the inhabitants of Victorian Cities, their problems with law and order, their attitudes to children, education and religious provision.

With the growth of English cities during the Industrial Revolution came a booming population too vast for churchyards. Beckett Street Cemetery in Leeds was to become the first municipal cemetery in the country. drawn from newspaper articles, archive material and municipal records to tell the stories of many local people who lie there, from tiny infants, soldiers and victims of crime to those who perished in the great epidemics of Victorian England.

Both books are available at the Museum shop.