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:
![Jacobean house designed by John Thorpe and built between 1618 and 1635. This building was one of the first historic buildings to be used as a municipal visitor attraction. From Beautiful Britain; views of our stately homes. [The Werner Company of Chicago, 1894]. Artist Unknown. (Photo by The Print Collector/Getty Images)](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/02/07/16/41/GettyImages-1055133496.jpg?crop=4:3&trim=&width=800)
21. Aston Hall, Aston Park, Birmingham, 1894
Jacobean house designed by John Thorpe and built between 1618 and 1635. This building was one of the first historic buildings to be used as a municipal visitor attraction. From Beautiful Britain; views of our stately homes. [The Werner Company of Chicago, 1894]. Artist Unknown. (Photo by The Print Collector/Getty Images) | Getty Images
![From Pictorial England and Wales. [Cassell and Company, Limited, London, Paris & Melbourne, circa 1896]. Artist Harold Baker Ltd. (Photo by The Print Collector/Getty Images)](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/02/07/16/00/GettyImages-1020533640.jpg?crop=4:3&trim=&width=800)
22. The Town Hall, Birmingham, circa 1896
From Pictorial England and Wales. [Cassell and Company, Limited, London, Paris & Melbourne, circa 1896]. Artist Harold Baker Ltd. (Photo by The Print Collector/Getty Images) | Getty Images
23. Mason's College, Paradise Street, Birmingham, 1897
View inside the Natural History Museum. Established as a college of science by Josiah Mason in 1880 it was intended to equip its graduates to serve local industry. The curriculum was confined to maths, physics, chemistry, natural sciences, physiology and engineering. The college became incorporated into the University of Birmingham in 1900. The building was demolished in the 1960s to make way for the new public library. The photographer's daybook records JA Cossins as the architect. Artist Henry Bedford Lemere. (Photo by English Heritage/Heritage Images/Getty Images) | Getty Images
24. Birmingham School of Art, Birmingham, circa 1890
The red-brick Victorian Gothic building was opened in 1885. (Photo by Francis Frith/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) | Getty Images