Richard Wright Procter

Richard Wright Procter (1816–1881) was an English barber, poet and author.

Life[]

The son of Thomas Procter, he was born of poor parents in Paradise Vale, Salford, Lancashire, on 19 December 1816. Apprenticed to a barber, in due course he set up in business for himself in Long Millgate, Manchester, where he also ran a circulating library. He remained there for the rest of his life.^[1]

Procter died at 133 Long-Millgate, Manchester, on 11 September 1881, and was buried at St. Luke's, Cheetham Hill. He had married, in 1840, Eliza Waddington, who predeceased him, and left five sons.^[1]

Works[]

When young Procter bought books, and sent poetical contributions to the local press. In 1842 he associated with Samuel Bamford, John Critchley Prince, , and other local poets in meetings held at an inn, afterwards known as the "Poet's Corner", and he contributed to a volume of verse Festive Wreath which resulted. He had some pieces in City Muse (1853), edited by William Reid of Manchester. He published also:^[1]

• Gems of Thought and Flowers of Fancy, 1855; a volume of poetical selections, of which the first and last pieces are by himself.
• The Barber's Shop, with illustrations by William Morton, 1856; sketches of the odd characters he met. A second edition incorporated lore relating to hairdressing and to notable barbers, published, with a memoir by William Edward Armytage Axon, 1883.
• Literary Reminiscences and Gleaning with Illustrations, 1860; mainly on Lancashire poets.
• Our Turf, our Stage, and our Ring, 1862; historical sketches of racing and sporting life in Manchester.
• Manchester in Holiday Dress, 1866; on theatres and other amusements in Manchester before 1810.
• Memorials of Manchester Streets, 1874.
• Memorials of Bygone Manchester, with Glimpses of the Environs, 1880.

Notes[]

Attribution

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Lee, Sidney, ed. (1896). "Procter, Richard Wright". Dictionary of National Biography. 46. London: Smith, Elder & Co.