Imagined Orphans

This historical study dismantles the pervasive Victorian myth of the orphan, revealing how the sentimental image of the parentless child, popularized by figures like Oliver Twist, was a powerful tool of social control. Murdoch meticulously demonstrates that the majority of children in workhouses and charitable institutions were not actually orphans but came from families struggling with poverty, often maintaining active connections with their parents. The book exposes how the "imagined orphan" narrative was strategically used by middle-class reformers to justify interventions that separated poor children from their families and communities. This reframing forces a complete re-evaluation of Victorian social welfare and the very definitions of childhood and family.

Murdoch's work stands out for its compelling synthesis of social history and critical analysis, using census data, institutional records, and personal accounts to give voice to the lived experiences of the poor. Readers interested in the intersections of class, family, and state power will find its arguments both unsettling and persuasive, as it challenges deeply ingrained cultural tropes about poverty and rescue. The book's lasting impact lies in its powerful reminder that the stories we tell about the most vulnerable members of society are rarely just stories—they are instruments with profound and often devastating real-world consequences.