Who is Costermonger Lad from London Labour and the London Poor and what is their importance?

The coster lad's father died when he was just three years old. His mother had to work from 6 am to 10 pm each day, and left the young boy in charge of his brother, who was just one year old. Each day she left the boys several slices of bread and butter for their main meal. When the mother lost her job, she pawned all the family's furniture and extra clothing to feed her children. The starving children often cried themselves to sleep at night because they were so hungry. Neither boy ever attended school or church.

At eight years old, the coster lad began to sell walnuts in the streets to augment the family income. He could earn four pence per day. When he became 12 years old, he and his brother each sold independently, earning up to 2.5 shillings per week by hawking greens during the day in the streets, and nuts in bars at night.