Joseph Arch (1826–1919) by Barraud, c. 1890 Getty Images – Barraud
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Arch, Joseph (1826–1919), trade unionist and politician, was born at Barford, Warwickshire, on 10 November 1826, the son of John Arch (bap. 1795, d. 1862), a shepherd, and his wife, Hannah, née Pace (1783–1845). Before her marriage his mother worked as a domestic servant in ...
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Eric H. Robinson
Clare, John (1793–1864), poet, farm labourer, and naturalist, was born on 13 July 1793 in West Street, Helpston, Northamptonshire, the son of Parker Clare (1765–1846), a thresher and local wrestler, known as 'the lame man of Helpstone', and his wife, Ann (1757–1835)...
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John Clare (1793–1864) by William Hilton, 1820 © National Portrait Gallery, London
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H. C. G. Matthew
Martin, Jonathan (1782–1838), arsonist, was born at Highside House, near Hexham, the son of (William) Fenwick Martin, who held several occupations including publican, coach builder, fencing master, and tanner, and his wife, Isabella, née Thompson. John Martin, the artist, and William Martin were among his twelve siblings. ...
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Duncan Bythell
Mawdsley, James (1848–1902), trade unionist, was born at Preston, Lancashire, on 9 January 1848, the son of Thomas Mawdsley, an operative cotton spinner, and his wife, Jane (née Fawcett). He entered the factory as a half-timer at the age of nine, and at sixteen began to work full-time alongside his father. He involved himself in the affairs of his local spinners' association, and became its assistant secretary in 1875. Three years later, after a rigorous competitive examination, he was appointed full-time general secretary of the ...
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Mark Seaward
Mudd, William (1829–1879), lichenologist, was born in 1829 at Clifton Lodge on or near Clifton Castle estate in Bedale, Yorkshire, and was baptized at Thornton Watlass on 26 April 1829, the third of eight children of Christopher Mudd, steward, and his wife, Mary Purvis...
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John D. Haigh
Oxtoby, John [nicknamed Praying Johnny] (1767–1830), evangelist and Primitive Methodist preacher, was born early in 1767 at Little Givendale, near Pocklington, East Riding of Yorkshire, the son of Robert Oxtoby, a farmer, and his wife, Jane. He received a little education at a country school, worked in agriculture, but lost carefully acquired property by '...
