Surname: Langford Forename(s): John Alfred b. 12 September 1823. d. 24 January 1903. Nationality: English. VIAF.
Working-class poet, journalist, and advocate for social reform and public libraries.
Born in Birmingham. Father worked as a chair maker and his mother was the daughter
of a baker. Langford’s full-time schooling stopped at age ten when he worked for his
father’s employer. Became his father’s apprentice and attended the Mechanic’s Institute
in Birmingham. Married Anne Swinton in 1842 then, after her death, married Mary Anne
Price on 7 April 1849. Became involved in radical social reform and in the co-operative
movement. In 1850 started a business selling books and newspapers in a Birmingham
shop, and then in 1852 established a printing business with his father. Appointed
sub-editor of Birmingham Daily Press in 1855, and editor of Birmingham Daily Gazette in 1864. Elected to the Birmingham School Board as a Liberal and noncomformist. Author
of the poetry volumes The Lamp of Life (1855) and Poems of the Field and Town (1859). Biographical information: ODNB. (AC)