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'''Branwell Brontë''' | '''Branwell Brontë''' | ||
Patrick Branwell Brontë | Patrick Branwell Brontë, born 26 June 1817, was an English painter and writer. He was the only son of the Brontë family, and brother of the writers Charlotte, Emily, and Anne. | ||
In 1840 Bramwell was appointed as 'assistant clerk in charge' at Sowerby Bridge Railway Station. In 1841, he was promoted to ' | In 1840 Bramwell was appointed as 'assistant clerk in charge' at Sowerby Bridge Railway Station. In 1841, he was promoted to 'clerk in charge' at Luddenfoot Railway Station. In 1842 he was dismissed due to a deficit in the railway accounts. It is probable that this money was stolen by a colleague, while Bramwell was off drinking. | ||
However, he drifted between jobs, supporting himself by portrait-painting, and gave way to drug and alcohol addiction, apparently worsened by a failed relationship with a married woman. Brontë died at the age of 31, on 24 September 1848 | However, he drifted between jobs, supporting himself by portrait-painting, and gave way to drug and alcohol addiction, apparently worsened by a failed relationship with a married woman. Brontë died at the age of 31, on 24 September 1848 | ||
Bramwell lived briefly at The Lord Nelson Inn. | Bramwell lived briefly at The Lord Nelson Inn. | ||
'''William Heaton''' | |||
Heaton was born in poor circumstances in the village and lived most of his life in the cottage opposite the Lord Nelson and close to the church gates. His start in life meant that he did not attend school but he strived against the odds to better himself. At first he taught himself to read and write by tracing letters on the gravestones in the churchyard. | |||
Quite late in life he earned his living by carpet weaving at home. Along with other young men in the village he joined the lending library and they began to collect items of Natural History and coins. Later he started to write poetry which he showed to Bramwell Bronte who gave him great encouragement. | |||
From this contact with Bronte, and the artistic circle of friends at the Lord Nelson he settled down to write poetry seriously. It is believed he composed at the loom and scribbled his verse on the walls of the cottage. | |||
His first collection of poems was published in 1847 called 'Flowers of Calderdale'. In the 1851 census, Heaton is described as a carpet Weaver and poet. At that time, besides his wife Elizabeth, there were six other members of his extended family living with him in the small cottage. | |||
A second volume entitled 'The old soldier, the wandering lover and other poems' appeared in 1858. This work contains a poem, 'The song of the handloom Weaver', which captures very well the circumstances and feelings of the handloom weavers in the period 1830 to 1850 when mecanisation swept them away. | |||
Towards the end of his life influential friends like William dearden obtained a sinecure for him as the first keeper of Peoples Park in Halifax. He died in 1871, and his gravestone at Mount Pellon describes him as the calderdale poet. | |||
Latest revision as of 06:24, 18 May 2025
Branwell Brontë
Patrick Branwell Brontë, born 26 June 1817, was an English painter and writer. He was the only son of the Brontë family, and brother of the writers Charlotte, Emily, and Anne.
In 1840 Bramwell was appointed as 'assistant clerk in charge' at Sowerby Bridge Railway Station. In 1841, he was promoted to 'clerk in charge' at Luddenfoot Railway Station. In 1842 he was dismissed due to a deficit in the railway accounts. It is probable that this money was stolen by a colleague, while Bramwell was off drinking.
However, he drifted between jobs, supporting himself by portrait-painting, and gave way to drug and alcohol addiction, apparently worsened by a failed relationship with a married woman. Brontë died at the age of 31, on 24 September 1848
Bramwell lived briefly at The Lord Nelson Inn.
William Heaton
Heaton was born in poor circumstances in the village and lived most of his life in the cottage opposite the Lord Nelson and close to the church gates. His start in life meant that he did not attend school but he strived against the odds to better himself. At first he taught himself to read and write by tracing letters on the gravestones in the churchyard.
Quite late in life he earned his living by carpet weaving at home. Along with other young men in the village he joined the lending library and they began to collect items of Natural History and coins. Later he started to write poetry which he showed to Bramwell Bronte who gave him great encouragement.
From this contact with Bronte, and the artistic circle of friends at the Lord Nelson he settled down to write poetry seriously. It is believed he composed at the loom and scribbled his verse on the walls of the cottage.
His first collection of poems was published in 1847 called 'Flowers of Calderdale'. In the 1851 census, Heaton is described as a carpet Weaver and poet. At that time, besides his wife Elizabeth, there were six other members of his extended family living with him in the small cottage.
A second volume entitled 'The old soldier, the wandering lover and other poems' appeared in 1858. This work contains a poem, 'The song of the handloom Weaver', which captures very well the circumstances and feelings of the handloom weavers in the period 1830 to 1850 when mecanisation swept them away.
Towards the end of his life influential friends like William dearden obtained a sinecure for him as the first keeper of Peoples Park in Halifax. He died in 1871, and his gravestone at Mount Pellon describes him as the calderdale poet.