The Piano-Industry Workforce in Mid-Victorian England: a Study of the 1881 Census

Abstract

The identification of nearly 6,500 members of the piano industry in the 1881 census of England presents the first ‘snapshot’ of the English workforce of any period in its history. Traditionally, research has focused on high-profile makers whose workmanship survives, but many hundreds of workers, and a far greater body of intellect – and more diverse body of labour – were involved in advancing the piano than that which is suggested by a small number of luminaries working in the capital. Yet hitherto, with few exceptions, this wider body of workers has remained anonymous. Without company documents or extant instruments to mark their contribution, the identity of the majority of the workforce might only be known through the census. Nearly 6,500 men, women and children worked in approximately 400 piano-related occupations across 42 English counties, the majority based in London. But these figures tell only part of the story. A more complex interpretation may be drawn from secondary information not immediately apparent from the data. The social standing, entrepreneurial spirit, family history, success and hardship of the workforce may all be appraised via the census, and their individual and collective careers provide a surprising insight into the piano-making industry in mid-Victorian England.