This project will create the first complete data set containing county level occupational censuses for nineteenth-century Britain and will supplement a demographic data set already created by the investigator. Completion of the project will allow scholars to begin a quantitative study of the female labor force in nineteenth- century Britain in an attempt to measure the impact of industrialization on female labor force participation. Female employment patterns today have generated much research and legislation. These patterns have historical roots that can be investigated to determine the importance of institutions and culture on economic activity. Using the proposed data set, the reasons for the decline in female participation rates can be explored. It can also be determined whether or not industrialization necessarily leads to competitive labor markets. Occupational segregation and industrial segregation can be measured and compared. The importance of "noneconomic" factors on women's work can be examined as can the "economic" factors which traditionally affect demand for and supply of female labor.
