George Brewster
The death of 12-year-old chimney sweep George Brewster became the catalyst which finally pushed through legislation that outlawed the cruel practice. George Brewster became stuck in one of the chimneys in Fulbourn Hospital. His master, William Wyer, had sent George into that situation.

When were children banned as chimney sweeps?

1834
In the early 1830s, as Parliament became more preoccupied generally with the exploitation of child labour, the Chimney Sweeps Act was passed in 1834 outlawing the apprenticing of any child below the age of ten. Furthermore, no child was to be actually engaged in cleaning chimneys under the age of 14.

Who sent kids chimneys?

It’s a story of a little boy chimney sweep who escapes his cruel life and goes on a fantasy adventure. Then in February of 1875, a 12-year-old chimney sweep named George Brewster became stuck in Fulbourn Hospital chimneys, where he was sent by William Wyer, his master.

Why was it illegal for children to work as chimney sweeps?

The Chimney Sweeps Act 1834 was enacted in an attempt to protect the children employed by the ‘sweeping’ masters from cruel exploitation. The act forbade the apprenticing of any boy under the age of 10 years and the employment of children under 14 in chimney sweeping unless they were apprenticed or on trial.

Why was the use of child chimney sweeps banned?

Abolishing the use of child chimney sweeps was triggered by an accident that happened in the late 1800s. A child chimney sweep was sent into a hospital chimney to clean up. Unfortunately, the boy got stuck. People intervened to get the boy out of the chimney and even broke a wall to release him.

Why was the chimney sweep called the climbing boy?

Back when child labor laws had not been passed in the US, young boys served as chimney sweeps. They dominated the trade because they could fit inside the cramped spaces. Some called them the climbing boys of the 1700s-1800s, and the “profession” only came to an end after its removal from the U.S. census in 1870.

Why was the chimney sweeps Act of 1834 passed?

The Chimney Sweeps Act 1834 was enacted in an attempt to protect the children employed by the ‘sweeping’ masters from cruel exploitation. The act forbade the apprenticing of any boy under the age of 10 years and the employment of children under 14 in chimney sweeping unless they were apprenticed or on trial.

When did the chimney sweeping business end in England?

An original chimney sweeping licence from 1924 England. 1875 was the date parliament brought about the end of the chimney climbing boys and a brutal trade in children officially ended. Is followed the death of a young climbing boy in London’s Shaftesbury hospital.