Foundations of Female Entrepreneurship

Alison Kay began her working life as a business journalist and management analyst before embarking on her doctoral research at Nuffield College, University of Oxford, upon which this book is based. She was until recently Lecturer in Nineteenth-Century British History at Lancaster University, where she has just taken up an Honorary Research Fellowship. She is also an Associate Lecturer in Economics with The Open University.

• List of Figures. List of Tables. Abbreviations. Acknowledgments. Introduction. 1. Separate and Suitable. 2. Barriers and Bridges. 3. Insuring Her Assets. 4. Retailing Respectability. 5. A Household of Enterprise. 6. Property, Home and Business. 7. Historical Female Entrepreneurship. Conclusion. Appendices. Notes. Bibliography. Index.

'This book would be of interest not only to those who want to have more knowledge of businesswomen's history, but also to material culturists, economists, sociologists, and others who are interested in women and their work. It provides thoughtful insight into the interrelatedness of the sociocultural and economic environment of the early nineteenth century and women's entrepreneurial businesses.' – Judy K. Miler, Enterprise & Society ‘Strikingly, Kay concludes that the story of women in business is neither a story of a lost golden age, nor one of emancipation, but a story of continuity across history … This book provides the best data yet on businesswomen in London.’ – Joyce Burnette, Eh.Net'As Kay's careful study of the London case demonstrates, the constraints on women's public activity in the nineteenth century were not insurmountable. Drawing evidence from a range of sources, Kay uncovers the complexity of women's entrepreneurial activities … Perhaps it is time to reopen the debate on what constitutes entrepreneurship; and whether a gender-neutral approach is possible and desirable.' – Katrina Honeyman, Business History'Kay reclaims not only the title of entrepreneur, but also the economic importance of those 'survivalist entrepreneurs' in the process of industrialisation.' – Amy Erickson, Reviews in History