ABSTRACT
In bringing together this collection of essays on English industrial districts we are well aware that over a century ago Alfred Marshall was providing powerful insights into very similar issues. In this respect we are merely standing on the shoulders of giants. At the same time, by offering original empirical evidence on a variety of different scenarios, from micro-studies, such as those of Darlington, Gomersal, Worcester and the Birmingham jewellery quarter, through to more expansive cases, including Lancashire and West Yorkshire, we have extended our understanding of what was an essential feature of English industrial evolution.
