The Dark History Of Chimney Sweepers

In 18th and 19th century Britain, young children, some as young as four years old, were forced to work as chimney sweeps. During the Industrial Revolution, chimneys became narrower and more complex, making it difficult for adults to clean them. Small children were often sold or apprenticed to master sweeps, who forced them to climb up narrow flues to remove soot and ash. The work was extremely dangerous, leading to injuries, respiratory problems, and even a form of cancer known as "chimney sweep's cancer" caused by constant exposure to soot. Despite the introduction of the Chimney Sweepers Act of 1788, which aimed to limit the use of child labor, enforcement was weak, and exploitation continued. The situation improved with the Chimney Sweepers Act of 1875, which introduced licensing for sweeps and banned the use of child workers, marking a significant step toward ending child labor in Britain.