Although much has been written on the historical role of immigration, it has largely focused on social rather than economic history. Migration and the International Labour Market 1850-1939 concentrates on the two central aspects of international migration--the forces which cause it and its economic effect. The contributors are drawn from a wide range of countries representing both the underdeveloped and the developed world, each of them examining and testing the validity of migration theories in a historical setting. In some cases migration is viewed from a comparative perspective--an approach which is facilitated by data on internationally comparable real wages. The authors also look at the responsiveness of migration from different countries, international wage differentials and the degree of international labor market integration. A number of chapters examine the impact of migration on real wage growth and economic convergence between original and destination countries--issues which remain at the heart of debates over international migration policy.