What was life like for ordinary people before the Victorian era? We will consider broad themes of work, leisure, marriage, poverty and wealth. How did men and women respond to the opportunities created by the revolutions in agriculture, industry and transport? We will consider the lives of some individuals in the context of the society in which they lived. This is an entry level course in social history for which no prior reading is required. As the sessions progress I will suggest possible further reading and offer attendees an opportunity to give a five minute presentation on a topic that may be of interest to the other group members.