Death in the Valleys – The Cholera Epidemics of South Wales (1832-1866)

Description

This article examines the devastating cholera epidemics that swept through South Wales during the industrial boom of the 19th century, focusing on their impact on communities like Newport, Tredegar, Merthyr Tydfil, and Swansea. As coal and iron transformed the region, poor sanitation, contaminated water, and overcrowded living conditions set the stage for repeated outbreaks in 1832-33, 1849-50, and 1866—each leaving hundreds dead and towns in turmoil.

Through archival research, burial records, and historical analysis, this study uncovers the human cost of the disease, the desperate responses from doctors and residents, and the lasting legacy of sites like Cefn Golau Cholera Cemetery, one of Britain’s few surviving cholera burial grounds.

By examining these epidemics collectively, the article presents cholera not as an isolated tragedy, but as a symptom of systemic neglect, ultimately leading to crucial advancements in public health, sanitation reform, and medical understanding.

• https://tinyurl.com/Cholera-Valley-of-Death (link opens in new window)