Shocking look at a dark chapter of social history and the human cost of profit-driven careThis account examines the hidden world of “baby farming” in Victorian times, revealing how infants were traded, neglected, or harmed in the name of a business. It presents vivid cases and the journeys of those involved, from procurers to receivers, and the unsafe conditions that allowed abuse to go unchecked. The text combines testimony, incident reports, and historical context to explain why such practices arose and how they were uncovered.
In this edition, you’ll encounter:
- Profiles of the people who ran these “farms” and the tactics they used
- Scenes from receiving houses, where neglect could creep in under the cover of ordinary life
- Explained patterns of exploitation, risk, and the chilling ease of harm
- The response of investigators, lawmakers, and reformers who sought justice
Ideal for readers curious about social reform, 19th-century Britain, and the darker side of charity and child welfare.
Ideal for readers of history, social reform, and true accounts of investigative journalism observing how abuse was addressed and challenged in the past.