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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Great Famine
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(1845–7) In 1845 the potato crop failed disastrously in *Ireland, where potatoes were the staple diet, because of a previously unknown blight (phytophthora infestans). The next year's crop was as badly infected. The immediate effects of the suffering were the repeal of the *Corn Laws and a huge increase in emigration from Ireland, particularly to the USA. The population fell from 8.5 million in 1845 to nearer 6.5 million in 1851, the loss being about half and half through death and emigration.
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