Dr. Harry Smith

Biography

Trained social economic historian at the University of Oxford, but have since then worked in Geography departments on historical geography projects at Cambridge and Kingston. Mainly focused on economic history in Britain during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, with primary interests in the economic constraints that restricted individual life courses in the past. Previously studied the history of professions, particularly entrepreneurs, exploring how individual choices to enter professions or start businesses shaped their lives and demographics, with attention to occupational mobility among children. Currently involved in a Wellcome Trust-funded project titled ‘Addressing Health: Morbidity, Mortality and Occupational Health of Victorian and Edwardian Post Office Workers,’ focusing on the history of occupational health and showing a general interest in historical demography and epidemiology. Research topics include the use of large datasets, such as British and Irish censuses, parish records, and probate data, while making extensive use of GIS software to understand individual economic and social experiences across varying places. Specific research interests comprise Morbidity and Mortality in Britain and Ireland from 1850 to 1950, Social Economic History, occupations in Britain from 1800 to 1950, particularly among professions and entrepreneurs, and Urban history in Britain and Ireland utilizing quantitative GIS methods.

Research Interests