Continuity, change, and specialization within metropolitan London: the economy of Westminster, 1750-1820

This article explores the Westminster economy, 1750-1820, drawing upon the rich occupational evidence in the Westminster Historical Database. An exerc ise in modelling highlights urban household structure. The occupational dat a then identify the processes of macro-continuity and micro-change, as West minster concentrated upon government, services, and conspicuous consumption . A marked occupational specialization was apparent. Overall, Westminster's importance as a consumer and service centre indicates that metropolitan Lo ndon consisted of much more than the commercial City; and that due weight s hould be given to the creative role of this composite London as 'an' (not ' the') engine of growth after as well as before 1750.