Surname: Aitken Forename(s): William b. 1812. d. 27 September 1869. Nationality: Scottish.
Poet, Chartist, and factory reformer. Born c. 2 June 1812. Autodidact. Family moved
from Scotland to Ashton-under-Lyne when Aitken was a child. Worked in a cotton mill
at age eleven, but later dismissed due to political involvement. In 1840 was imprisoned
for nine months for Chartist activism. Founded a school at Ashton with his wife in
1841. Travelled to America in 1842-1843 after involvement in failed Chartist strike.
From 1850s actively involved in ten-hour campaign (limiting the work day for factory
labourers), supported confederacy in the American civil war, and became associated
with the Liberal party. Author of a serially published autobiography in 1869. Biographical
information: ODNB. (AC)