Digital Victorian Periodical Poetry

Prolific working-class poet, novelist, children’s writer, studies on history and the countryside, and other miscellaneous books. Known as the Basket Maker. Moved to London in c. 1835. Lady Blessington became his patron after he sent her a gift of poems in one of his baskets, but he complained of exploitation by Blessington and other publishers and editors of his work. Received payments from the Royal Literary Fund, but still struggled with extreme poverty. Biographical information: ODNB , Lohrli 367-8. (AC).