Thomas and John Gilbert: a study in business enterprise and social mobility in eighteenth century England

Lead, Peter

Abstract

During the eighteenth century many members of the lesser gentry turned their attention from the land, towards the world of business and the professions. Their motivation was a desire for financial and social advancement and they were quick to seize on the opportunities that existed in eighteenth century England. The careers of both John and Thomas Gilbert provide excellent illustrations of this process at work and the complex pattern of interests that engaged their time and effort. Such individuals sought to enlarge their estates and income by these means and having achieved their aims, they reinvested their capital in land. These entrepreneurs were succeeded by rentiers, as the need to increase income disappeared.

Citation

Lead, P. Thomas and John Gilbert: a study in business enterprise and social mobility in eighteenth century England. (Thesis). Keele University. Retrieved from https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/1075159

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Feb 13, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 13, 2025
• Keywords: Department of History
• Public URL: https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/1075159
• Award Date: 1982