Lecture 26: Eating in the Early Industrial Revolution
Absolute disaster and deadly famine struck when the potato blight
hit. About one million Irish died, and about the same number
emigrated to America and England. The British government at
fi rst tried to help them with shipment of cornmeal, but a change in
government a year later that brought in politicians who favored free
trade thought it would hurt growers if food was just sent to people
for nothing. The British government pretty much let the Irish perish
as a necessary casualty of the market. Conversely, food exports
from Ireland did not stop, even at the height of the famine. The only people who apparently wanted to help were Quakers
and relief societies, who cared more about human beings than the
market. There was only so much they could do, but they did force
on the government what was called the Soup Kitchen Act in 1847
that provided some food in cities. However, in the end, about one-
fi fth of the population was gone. This is a great example of how
a single food can completely change the course of history. Ireland
would be a different place thereafter.Atkins, Food and the City in Europe Since 1800.
Beeton, Mrs. Beeton’s Book of Household Management.
Burnett, Plenty and Want.
Clarkson, Feast and Famine.
Drummond, Englishman’s Food.
Fisher, American Cookbook.
Floyd, Recipe Reader.
Francatelli, Plain Cookery.
Gentilcore, Pomodoro.
Griffi th, Born Again Bodies.
Harrison, Drink and the Victorians.Suggested Reading