As We Are and As We May Be is a collection of social essays that examines inequality labour conditions and the evolving role of educated women in Victorian society. The work focuses on the economic and social challenges faced by working women particularly those entering professional fields during a period of rapid industrial and cultural change. It highlights the contrast between limited opportunities and growing educational attainment while questioning the fairness of systems that restrict fair employment and wages. The essays advocate for reform through education training and structural support aimed at improving access to dignified work and financial independence. The opening section introduces the idea of the working gentlewoman and reflects on the social stigma attached to women earning a livelihood in competitive environments. It presents a broader critique of social organization emphasizing compassion reform and practical solutions for economic justice. The collection contributes to discussions on gender roles labour rights and social progress in nineteenth century reform literature.
Sir Walter Besant was an English novelist and historian known for his detailed portrayals of London society and his strong interest in social reform and urban life. Born on 14 August 1836 in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, he was the son of George Besant and Josephine Besant, and he grew up in a family that valued education and intellectual pursuits. He was the brother of William Henry Besant, a mathematician, and Frank Besant, whose wife was the well-known reformer, Annie Besant. Walter Besant was educated at King’s College London and later at Christ’s College, Cambridge, where he developed a lasting interest in literature, history, and social conditions. His career combined fiction and historical writing, often focusing on the lives of ordinary people in London and the challenges faced by the urban poor. He was also active in efforts to improve access to education and public libraries. Through both his novels and essays, he contributed significantly to Victorian social literature. He died on 9 June 1901 in Frognal, London, leaving a lasting literary and social legacy.
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