This book recovers the stories of two remarkable Victorian working men. Thomas Cooper and Arthur O'Neill were both imprisoned for seditious offences in 1843. The friendship they formed in Stafford Gaol lasted for fifty years. These two men wanted to be remembered as Chartist prisoners - but, talented and energetic, they also made their marks in other areas. Cooper was the author of a famous poem, The Purgatory of Suicides, and of novels; he knew well Thomas Carlyle and Charles Kingsley, and came into contact with Benjamin Disraeli and Charles Dickens. Later in life he became a lecturer in defence of Christianity. O'Neill worked with Joseph Sturge and Henry Richard for peace and international arbitration, attending a number of international peace conferences. An important contribution to Chartist studies, this book also examines in detail artisan literary activity, pacifism and Christian apologetics in Victorian Britain.

About the Author
The Author: Stephen Roberts is a Fellow of the Institute for Advanced Research in Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Birmingham. He has written or edited a number of well-known books on Chartism and related subjects.

Reviews
"This is a work of great empathy, enthusiasm, passion, commitment and scholarship that will be of interest to historians of Chartism and Victorian radicalism. It is leavened by two appendices, one giving a sample of Cooper's letters, the other considering his relationship with Charles Dickens, and it is difficult to imagine a more comprehensive treatment." (Chris Williams, Midland History)
"The book is well written and informative, and based on solid research. Roberts demonstrates a command of local sources as well as the wider context, although it is a pity that the book is not longer, so that more discussion of the nature of Chartism and other reform movements could have been provided. [...] it is an enjoyable and worthwhile read." (Michael J. Turner, Labour History Review)
"A wonderful book." (Tony Benn, former Labour MP and Cabinet Minister)



Book Information
ISBN 9783039113880
Author Stephen Roberts
Format Paperback
Page Count 200
Imprint Verlag Peter Lang
Publisher Verlag Peter Lang
Weight(grams) 290g