This book reveals the relevance of the Victorian economy as a model for contemporary society by using quantitative methods to explain its true nature and performance. The essays, covering the period 1870-1914, are of three types: some establish accepted conclusions more firmly by deploying new evidence or methods; others deal with unwarrantedly neglected aspects of the subject; and the third category reassesses traditional views. The book also includes a very substantial introduction placing the contributions in the context of contemporary debates, brief introductions to each section containing elementary economic analysis of the following themes, and a glossary of technical terms to enhance accessibility.