Charles Dickens famously presented workhouse life as being one of unremitting horror in his novel Oliver Twist (1837–1839). However, were all poorhouses so bleak or was Dickens trying to highlight the fact that some were run by corrupt despots?
David Swidenbank has discovered a workhouse master and matron in his paternal family history. His findings show us that some union staff were progressive, humane and loved by
