This is a study of the political, social, and economic history of Britain during the period 1815-1906. The nineteenth century saw the building of one of the world's greatest empires, the transformation of Britain from a predominantly rural society into the world's first industrial nation, and the development of a modern state equipped with a large and expanding bureaucracy. Norman McCord has marshalled the complex and abundant evidence to provide a lucid account of nineteenth-century British history. Within each of four chronological divisions - 1815-1830, 1830-1850, 1850-1880, and 1880-1906 - there are chapters on the political background, administrative development, and social and economic issues. He explores major themes such as the massive increase in population, the nature of class, and the scope of state activity. He includes a comprehensive bibliography and a bibliographical appendix, making this book an invaluable guide for all students of nineteenth-century British history.