This book celebrates the life and work of Sir Henry Cole, a distinguished civil servant and cultural impresario who played an important role in shaping Victorian England. Drawing on his own speeches, essays, and correspondence, as well as the recollections of family members and colleagues, the book provides a vivid portrait of this remarkable figure and his many achievements. With its engaging style and rich detail, Fifty Years of Public Work is an ideal introduction to the life and work of one of the most important figures of the Victorian era. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.