Charles Booth: ‘Occupations of the People of the United Kingdom, 1801–81’

Although it was not until 1831 that any detailed return of the occupations of the people was attempted, there had been in the earliest censuses a rough and ready method adopted of dividing the population into three or four large groups, with a view of distinguishing those who obtained their support directly from the land from those engaged in manufacture, trade or the learned professions. Thus in 1801 we find returns under three headings: (1) persons chiefly employed in agriculture; (2) persons chiefly employed in trade, manufacture, or handicraft; and (3) all other persons not employed in the two preceding classes. This return, it will be noted, is of individuals, but in 1811 and 1821 the number of families is substituted for individuals. The occupations are given in the same form, but it is the number of families chiefly employed in agriculture, or otherwise, that are stated. The principle on which the returns are based is, however, the same, and it is one on which I should wish to lay stress, viz., to ascertain the total number supported by each of the great branches of industry.