Date of Award
Fall 2010
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
History
First Advisor
Hay, Carla
Second Advisor
Ruff, Julius
Third Advisor
McMahon, Timothy
Abstract
The years between 1815 and 1834 marked a transition from the Age of Napoleon to the Age of Victoria. England experienced a period of civil strife and economic fluctuations. London was in the midst of industrialization and urban growth. These changes affected all classes of society and their effects impacted views of crime and justice. This study focuses on the Old Bailey, London's central court. Its intent is to look at this age of transition through the microcosm of criminal trials with a view toward gauging contemporary opinions on the nature of crime and assessing the impact of economic fluctuations on constructs of class and gender.