The Crofts
Front Cover
An image of the front cover of "The Crofts" which shows an old black and white photograph of a building on one of the streets, with various people standing outside it.
Name/Title
The CroftsEntry/Object ID
2025.1.6Tags
history, sheffield, cutlerySecondary Title
Sheffield's long-lost communityDescription
A book that focusses on an area of Sheffield - known as the Crofts - which was home to many scissor makers in the past, and which is a key part of the city's industrial history. The area developed from a rural community of cottage industries to an urban slum which became notorious for its intermingling of industry with poverty and crime. While not about the cutlery industry itself, the book does provide some excellent context which is important for understanding the nature of this part of the city. Chapter 2 - Living in the Crofts - and Chapter 3 - Working in the Crofts - are particularly useful in this regard. Pages 29-32 provide a breakdown of trades in the Crofts as per the 1787 trade directory, for example, and there is a discussion on the Little Mesters and their working conditions.Cataloged By
studygroup@scissornet.orgCategory
Book, History