Thicker than water: siblings and their relations, 1780-1920

Abstract

The theme of this book is the kinship relationships that were central to nineteenth‐century nascent capitalist society. The middle classes were at the forefront of this development, but as yet only a rudimentary reliable financial and legal infrastructure existed. It was their extensive kinship networks that provided the capital, personnel, skills, and contacts crucial for expanding commercial and professional enterprises. While this was characteristic of the Western middle strata ‐ Protestant and Catholic alike ‐ this study concentrates on Great Britain with some reference to other countries where appropriate. Part I examines kinship relations and how they have been understood. It raises the question of why siblings in particular have been neglected until the last few decades. Part II provides a brief description of British middle‐class life and the structure and culture of large families. The following chapters cover sibling relationships from childhood through adult life, especially the differential experiences of sisters and brothers. It includes a chapter on aunts, uncles, and cousins. A wide range of examples is used encompassing ordinary as well as well‐known people. Sources include oral histories and data from the 1881 census. Part III is a series of essays on aspects of these relationships: sibling incest; cousin marriage; the impact of seniority and gender in the lives of William Gladstone and his sisters; an examination of Sigmund Freud’s relationships to his siblings; the effect of sibling loss. The book concludes with a brief discussion of the relevance of these themes for our contemporary world.