An Edition of the Papers of the London Corresponding Society

FAIN: FA-11286-75

Mary Thale
Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois (Chicago, IL 60612-4305)

To prepare for publication an edition of the papers of the first working and class reform group in England, the London Corresponding Society (1792-1798). This controversial organization of artisans, mechanics, and small shopkeepers sought a radical reform of Parliament. Within two years their cause had attracted 10,000 members. The unpublished papers of the Society - letters, minutes, financial records, reports from spies - will help us to decide how close England was to revolution. They will also show us the intricacies of the British working-class movement in its infancy.