
audiobook
by Sir Rowland Hill, George Birkbeck Norman Hill
E-text prepared by MWS, Adrian Mastronardi, The Philatelic Digital Library Project, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made available by Internet Archive (https://archive.org)
PREFACE.
CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME.
LIST OF PLATES.
BOOK I. THE LIFE OF SIR ROWLAND HILL.
THE LIFE OF SIR ROWLAND HILL. - CHAPTER I.
This volume offers an intimate portrait of the man who reshaped Britain’s mail system in the mid‑19th century. Through Hill’s own recollections and the careful guidance of his nephew, listeners hear how a modest idea—to let a letter travel for a single penny—grew into a nationwide revolution. The early chapters trace his upbringing, his civil‑service career, and the moments that sparked his determination to make communication affordable for all.
Beyond the personal narrative, the book weaves in official reports, correspondence, and the broader social context that made the penny post possible. Hill’s editorial hand, combined with the nephew’s meticulous revisions, creates a clear, chronological account while preserving the spirit of the original memoirs. Listeners will come away with a deeper appreciation of the challenges and ingenuity behind one of the world’s most enduring public‑service achievements.
Language
en
Duration
~18 hours (1054K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
Apr 29, 2019
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1795–1879
Best known for making the post cheaper and simpler, he helped create the penny post and reshape how ordinary people kept in touch. Before that, he was an educator and reformer with a strong interest in practical improvements that could benefit everyday life.
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1835–1903
Best known for bringing Boswell’s Life of Johnson to new generations of readers, this Victorian editor and author combined careful scholarship with a real affection for literary history. His work helped shape how many readers came to know Samuel Johnson and his circle.
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