Commemorating the Legacy of Climbing Boys
Featured in Christmas Past by Jodi Taylor
In Christmas Past, the Farrell family returns to 19th-century London, where Matthew had been forced to work as a climbing boy.
From the late 16th to the 19th century, chimney cleaning was a vital yet hazardous occupation in Britain. It was often assigned to young boys known as "climbing boys." Climbing girls were also employed, although they were less common. These children, some as young as four, were employed to navigate the narrow, winding flues of chimneys, scraping away soot and creosote to prevent fires and maintain airflow.
Origins and Practices
The use of climbing boys became prevalent as coal replaced wood as the primary fuel source in the 17th century. Coal combustion produced a sticky residue, necessitating regular chimney maintenance. The design of chimneys evolved to include tighter bends and narrower flues, some as small as 9 inches by 9 inches, making it impossible for adults to perform the cleaning. Consequently, master sweeps employed small boys, often orphans or children from impoverished families, to undertake this perilous work. These apprentices, bound by indentures, were expected to climb the chimneys, brushing and scraping soot as they ascended. The work was gruelling and fraught with dangers, including suffocation, burns, and permanent physical deformities. Moreover, the carcinogenic nature of soot exposure led to health issues such as "chimney sweeps' carcinoma," a specific type of scrotal cancer identified in the late 18th century.
Legislative Reforms
Public awareness of the climbing boys' plight gradually increased, leading to calls for reform. In 1788, the Chimney Sweepers Act was enacted to regulate the trade by setting a minimum apprenticeship age of eight and limiting the number of apprentices per master. However, due to inadequate enforcement, these regulations had little impact. Further legislative attempts, including acts in 1834 and 1840, also failed to bring significant change.
A turning point occurred in 1875 following the tragic death of 11-year-old George Brewster, the last recorded fatality of a climbing boy. Brewster became trapped while cleaning a flue at the County Pauper Lunatic Asylum in Fulbourn near Cambridge and did not survive the ordeal. His death spurred renewed public outcry, prompting Lord Shaftesbury to champion the cause. This advocacy culminated in the Chimney Sweepers Act of 1875, which mandated the registration of chimney sweeps and effectively prohibited the employment of children in chimney cleaning. This legislation marked a significant advancement in child labour laws in Britain.
Legacy
The harrowing experiences of climbing boys have been immortalised in literature and art, serving as poignant reminders of this dark chapter in labour history. Notably, Charles Kingsley's 1863 novel "The Water Babies" criticised the exploitation of child sweeps, contributing to the growing movement against such practices. In recognition of the sacrifices made by these young workers, a blue plaque was unveiled on 11 February 2025, commemorating George Brewster's life and his role in ending the use of child chimney sweeps in England. He is the youngest British person honoured with an official blue plaque. The site of the Victorian psychiatric hospital is now home to CamLIFE, a campus of scientific labs and offices.
Discover how Max handles the situation when faced with Ma Scrope in Christmas Past.
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