The openness of Britain during industrialisation. Determinants of career success of British men born between 1780 and 1880

Abstract

In this article, we study the occupational careers of British men during industrialisation. We ask whether careers became more successful during industrialisation and whether British society became more open. Using the Longitudinal Study of Residential Histories dataset we analysed the career of 6229 men born between 1780 and 1880 with a multilevel growth model. Over time men's careers became somewhat more successful: men started their careers at a higher occupational status, but status did not grow at a faster rate. Father's occupational status and son's education were main determinants of career success. The importance of education did not increase, but the relevance of father's status declined, suggesting that with industrialisation Britain became a more open society.