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:
9. Birmingham New Street railway station at the time of its official opening, June 1854
The station had the world's largest iron and glass roof. Original publication: Illustrated London News, pub. 3rd June 1854 (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) | Getty Images
10. The statue of local businessman Thomas Attwood in Stephenson Place, Birmingham, circa 1890
Unveiled in 1859, it stood here until 1925 when it was moved to Calthorpe Park and thence to Larches Green. (Photo by Sean Sexton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
11. Children in the dining hall of the orphanage, founded by philanthropist Josiah Mason, at Erdington, Birmingham, 1869
(Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) | Getty Images
12. Birmingham School of Art, circa 1890
The red-brick Victorian Gothic building was opened in 1885. (Photo by Francis Frith/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) | Getty Images