This edition reprints the text of Rebecca Harding Davis's Life in the Iron Mills together with a broad selection of thematically arranged historical and cultural documents that open up the novella to the consideration of a range of social and cultural issues vital to Davis's ninteenth century. Special attention is given to nineteenth century American discussions of work and social class, moral and social reform, the development of American art and industry, and the position of the woman writer. A general introduction providing historical and cultural background, a chronology of Davis's life and times, an introduction to each thematic group of documents, headnotes, extensive annotations, a generous selection of illustrations, and a selected bibliography make this volume the definitive scholarly edition of this classic work of industrial fiction.