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Published in 1832, Illustrations of Political Economyestablished Harriet Martineau as both a successful and controversial author and a pioneer of nineteenth-century "social problem" writing. This widely read series of didactic stories popularized political economy, making it accessible to audiences by vividly dramatizing issues such as overpopulation and labour strikes. Illustrations of Political Economymarks a pivotal moment in which literature and politics came together, laying the foundation for the realism and social commentary of later Victorian novels. This Broadview edition contains a critical introduction and a rich selection of historical documents, including contemporary reviews of Illustrationsand writings on population growth, factory conditions, and working-class life.