It was a time when Birmingham led the world with its pioneering spirit developing global inventions that led to the shaping of modern life.
With factories and manufacturing, Birmingham had become the greatest industrial city in the world by the 1700s.
And in the 1800s the city’s factories continued to develop with the use of steam along with James Watt and Matthew Boulton railway engines. But the strain of industrialisation took its toll on Birmingham during this time with some housing being declared slums.
Other turbulent times were seen amid a dynamite plot by Irish Republicans being hatched in the city. There was no internet or summer festivals, but people gathered together at Onion Fairs and there was much excitement for a Royal visit.
Some of the buildings of the time are still standing today, like the Birmingham Town Hall, and you may recognise others in our gallery.
This isn’t a definitive history of Birmingham in the 1800s, but a fascinating glimpse into the life and times of Brummies in the 19th century. Let’s take a look at 47 incredible images from those times:

45. Navvies at work to contain the canal in Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK, May 1872
(Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) | Getty Images

46. James Watt, Scottish engineer and inventor, 1833
Watt (1736-1819) was born at Greenock on the Clyde, Scotland, and showed an interest in engineering and invention from an early age. He made great improvements to the steam engine, one of the most significant being the separate condenser, which saved fuel and time. In 1774 Watt went into partnership with Matthew Boulton (1728-1809) the Birmingham manufacturer and entrepreneur, building steam engines to power mills, factories and mines. From The Gallery of Portraits, London, 1833. (Photo by Oxford Science Archive/Print Collector/Getty Images) | Print Collector/Getty Images

47. Pen grinding room, Hanks, Wells & Co's factory, Birmingham, West Midlands, 1851
More than 50 women sit at individual grindstones finishing metal pen nibs. The stones are driven through belt and shafting from a central power source. (Photo by Oxford Science Archive/Print Collector/Getty Images) | Print Collector/Getty Images