Walter Besant (1836–1901) was an English novelist and historian, very popular in the late 19th century for numerous works of fiction as well as several illustrated books about different areas of London. This 1st edition copy, published in the year of Besant's death (extracts had previously been published in 1899 and 1900), has an etched frontispiece by Francis S Walker, and 54 b & w illustrations by 'Punch' illustrator Phil May, Joseph Pennell and L Raven Hill. The text provides evocative descriptions not only of historical landmarks such as The Tower of London and Tower Bridge, but also of the factories, docks and slums of the industrial East End.