ABSTRACT
Coal became one of the great industries of the period, most particularly after 1850. The number of men employed rose fourfold between 1851 and 1913. South Wales became the most important coalfield by 1914 with its good-quality coal for export. Population grew, coal-exporting ports developed, and collieries spread along the valleys. Coal output peaked just before the First World War. Coal exports greatly increased from 1850 to 1913, when 98 million tons out of 287 million produced were exported, a tenth of all UK exports.
