The Water Babies: This beautiful fairy story has charmed generations of children – and adults. But scarcely remembered now is the central part it played in the famous Darwinian evolution debate, nor the major boost it gave to the advancement of women’s rights. It was also critical to the growth of the early environmental movement and to the fight for clean water in cities. And it was decisive in ending the shameful Victorian era chapter of little boys being sent up chimneys as sweeps.
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