In 1887 Government inspectors were sent to investigate the Old Nichol, a notorio
us slum on the boundary of Bethnal Green parish, where almost 6,000 inhabitants
were crammed into thirty or so streets of rotting dwellings and where the mortal
ity rate ran at nearly twice that of the rest of Bethnal Green. Among much else
they discovered that the decaying 100-year-old houses were some of the most lucr
ative properties in the capital for their absent slumlords, who included peers o
f the realm, local politicians and churchmen. The Blackest Streets is set in a t
urbulent period of London's history when revolution was in the air, and award-wi
nning historian Sarah Wise skilfully evokes the texture of life at that time, no
t just for the tenants but for those campaigning for change and others seeking t
o protect their financial interests.
