Tramp Collection (page 17)

Tramps block at Oundle workhouse

Tramp on Embankment
A tramp rests on the Thames Embankment in London. Date: circa 1926

Tramp on Embankment in dressing gown
A tramp asleep on a bench on the Thames Embankment in London. He is wearing an old dressing-gown as an overcoat and his shoes are held together with string. Date: circa 1926

Homeless person in Washington DC
Homeless person sleeping in temporary homemade tent structure on I St NW near McPherson Square, Washington DC

CHAPLIN: SHOULDER ARMS. Charlie Chaplin, center, undergoing a medical examination in his World War I film Shoulder Arms, 1918

Salvation Army, Thames Embankment, London
Salvation Army officers in conversation with a group of vagrants spending the night on a bench on the Thames Embankment in Central London

Tramp outside Empire Theatre, Leicester Square, London
A shuffling tramp outside the Empire Theatre in Leicester Square, Central London, contrasts strongly with the well dressed patrons on the left

Old woman vagrant asleep in park, London
An elderly female tramp or vagrant sleeps at the foot of a tree in one of Londons parks. Her head rests on one of her bags

Transformation from young tramp to soldier
Before-and-after pictures of a young vagrant transformed into an army cadet over a three-month period with the help of former Oxford Liberal MP Frank Gray

Vagrants asleep on bench on Thames Embankment, London
Two tramps in shabby overcoats, flat caps and muddy shoes, spend the night on a bench on Londons Thames Embankment

Female tramp asleep on steps, London
A female tramp sleeps on steps somewhere in Central London, where many of the citys homeless made their beds under bridges and railway arches. Date: circa 1930

Frank Gray, Liberal MP
In the late 1920s, former Oxford Liberal MP Frank Gray (1880-1935) disguised himself as a tramp to experience first-hand the life of such individuals

Frank Gray, MP, disguised as a tramp
In the late 1920s, former Oxford Liberal MP Frank Gray (1880-1935) disguised himself as a tramp to experience first-hand the life of such individuals

Salvation Army night shelter at supper time
A midnight supper of soup and bread at a London Salvation Army shelter for men brought in from the streets

Salvation Army Seeking the Homeless, London
Two Salvation Army officers accost men sleeping rough on a metal bench. The Army toured London streets offering tickets to their overnight shelters

Salvation Army Industrial Home, London
Inmates of a Salvation Army Industrial Home. Residents of the home were expected to work in return for their board and lodging

Salvation Army Food Depot, London
Men queuing at one of the food depots set up in London by the Salvation Army in the 1890s. The depots provided low cost food and meals for down and outs

Vagrants Food Ticket, Hinckley Union, Leicestershire
Ticket issued to a vagrant following his departure from the Hinckley Union workhouse, Leicestershire. When he presented it to the specified person (en route to his next destination)

Manchester Union Casual Wards, Manchester
Casual wards for tramps and vagrants at Tame Street, Ancoates, Manchester. The original premises were set up in a former cotton mill in 1897 but were rebuilt in around 1900 after being burnt down

Whitechapel Workhouse Casual Ward, East London
A line of men gathers near the Whitechapel Workhouse casual ward (vagrants ward) on Thomas Street, East London, waiting for its opening time

The Unemployed and the Workhouse, satirical postcard
Two workmen are digging a hole outside a workhouse. A dishevelled tramp figure asks them why they are working when the workhouse would give them a home for free

Vagrants sleeping rough in London
A group of vagrants sleeping rough under an archway in front of some large gates, somewhere in London

Gifts for vagrants / W H Robinson
Post War Britain - Making the best of an unpleasant necessity. A tramp is offered a cigar by two friendly smiling policeman so that he may move

Street Beggar - Constantinople
An elderly street beggar - Constantinople

Railway Sleeper - Kings Cross Station
The Railway Sleeper series - A snoozing tramp at Kings Cross Station dreaming of wealth as he clutches a copy of the Financial Times. Painting by Malcolm Greensmith

Old Tramp cooking his dinner
An old tramp cooking sausages in the open air over a small camp fire, surrounded by a variety of animals and with his pet Jack Russell dog sheltering beside him

Troop Tactics - On the Tramp by Harold C. Earnshaw
Humorous colour illustration by Harold C. Earnshaw from Winters Pie showing a group of scouts sitting on a tramp

Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track, Southland, New Zealand
New Zealand, Southland, Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track. Small stream running through lush temperate rain forest encountered on the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track

Tramp Mending Clothes
Visible mending - a tramp shows a bit of leg as he mends his clothes on a bench in Hyde Park, London, England

Tramp and Pipe
Theres nothing so satisfying, of an evening, as sitting in ones favourite armchair, smoking a pipe

Canadian Snowshoe Tramp
Men and women do a snowshoe tramp in Canada

Two Irish Itinerants
A pair of Irish itinerants

William Henry Davies
WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES A Welsh poet who lived the life of a tramp in England and the US

French Chemineau in Rain
An old French chemineau makes his way along a never-ending country road, in the pouring rain

Study of a Tramp
A study of an old man, a tramp, with matted hair, a gypsy sprig pinned to his lapel and a couple of war medals pinned to his coat with a safety pin

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"Tramp: The Enduring Legacy of Charlie Chaplin's Little Tramp" In the iconic film "The Kid" (1921), Charlie Chaplin and Jackie Coogan captivated audiences with their heartwarming portrayal of a father-son duo, where Chaplin played his beloved character, the little tramp. With his signature bowler hat, oversized shoes, and mustache, the little tramp became an emblematic figure in cinema history. Chaplin's genius continued to shine in "Modern Times" (1936), where he depicted the struggles of industrialization through his endearing tramp persona. Through physical comedy and poignant moments, he highlighted the plight of ordinary workers during that era. Inspired by real-life hardships faced by many during this time period, artists like Luke Fildes captured scenes like "Houseless and Hungry, " depicting individuals who found themselves destitute on the streets. These images resonated with audiences as they reflected societal issues that were often overlooked. Charlie Chaplin himself was no stranger to adversity; born into poverty in London docks in the 1880s, he experienced firsthand what it meant to be a tramp. His humble beginnings fueled his determination to rise above circumstances and bring joy to others through his artistry. Even William Heath Robinson's satirical illustration titled "The Lie" featured a tramp smoking a cigar while casually resting a cane over his arm—a humorous take on societal perceptions surrounding homelessness at that time. During political campaigns such as those for Labour Candidates, old men holding glasses of wine were sometimes labeled as 'tramps' due to their disheveled appearance or unconventional lifestyles. This stereotype perpetuated misconceptions about those struggling financially or living outside societal norms. Yet not all wanderers should be dismissed so easily; some embraced life on the road willingly. Known as gentlemen of the road or worthies like A Glasgow worthie or tramp could be seen as free spirits, finding solace in their nomadic existence.