Who was "old" in eighteenth-century England? -- The activities of the "helmsman" : self-reliance, work, and community expectations of the elderly -- "The comforts of a private fire-side" -- Independent but not alone : family ties for the elderly -- Community assistance to the aged under the Old Poor Law -- Continuity and change in community assistance to the elderly over the eighteenth century -- Within workhouse walls : indoor relief for the elderly -- Conclusion : old age as a useful category of historical analysis
Summary
This is an important new study of the history of ageing. Ottaway combines a comprehensive survey of existing literature with original interpretation and analysis of available data, using a wide variety of sources. Her lively and sophisticated analysis will be of great interest to scholars in British and social history
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 284-314) and index
