The Jubilee marks the fiftieth year of the reign of Queen Victoria. Dickensian in its sweeping scope of London life, Gissing’s "In the Year of the Jubilee" (1834) depicts the harsh and disreputable conditions of lower-middle class life at the end of the 19th century. Originally titled "Miss Lord of Camberwell," the novel depicts the adventures of suburban Nancy Lord and an exploration of South London.

George Gissing (1857-1903) was a British author. Originally from Yorkshire, he wrote over 20 novels as well as short stories, travel diaries and pieces of criticism. He is famous for his "The Nether World," "New Grub Street," "Born in Exile," and "The Odd Women."