What were the Georgians Like? As the exhibition suggests, depending on your point of view, they could be described as tasteful and polite, or riotous and pleasure-obsessed - the reality was they they were probably both
Life in Georgian times was as varied as it is now. There were the super rich - although probably nothing to compare with the fabulous riches of oil sheiks and oligarchs today. There were those further down the scale, especially the ones who aspired to better things. And right at the bottom there were the destitute for whom survival itself was a struggle.
There were cast changes in the lives of those with at least some money in the period covered, 1714 - 1830. The industrial revolution completely changed society; people moved in large numbers to the towns, men became rich through trade and there was a growing class of people with new money who aspired to join the aristocracy. Things that we take for granted now, like drinking tea, reading magazines, dancing, gardening and shopping for pleasure all developed in this period; those who had money wanted everyone to know that they could afford to live well and furnish their houses in the latest fashion. Clothes were no longer just to keep warm, but to show off as well.
But it was also a time for culture. Museums and art galleries were founded and there was a wide acceptance of the need for giving to charity - many modern day charities began life in this period.
It was also time for debate - coffee houses were very popular meeting places for men to discuss new ideas, and with the rise of mass communication via books and pamphlets there was plenty to discuss.
The British Library has drawn on a wide range of items from their collection to put on this exhibition, from paintings of the four Georges and other notable Georgian figures, to musical instruments of the period, books, maps, clothes and even advertisements of the time, which give a good indication of popular items for spending money on.
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