Elijah Dixon

Elijah Dixon (23 October 1790 – 26 July 1876)[1] was a textile worker, businessman, and agitator for social and political reform from Newton Heath, Manchester, England. He was prominent in the 19th century Reform movement in industrial Lancashire, and an associate of some of its leading figures, including Ernest Jones, and his obituary claims that he was called "the Father of English Reformers".[2] His activism led to arrest and detention for suspected high treason, alongside some other leading figures of the movement, and he was present at key events including the Blanketeers' March and the Peterloo massacre.[3] In later life he became a successful and wealthy manufacturer. He was the uncle of William Hepworth Dixon.[1]

  1. ^ a b Ogden, JH. p 50 Failsworth Industrial Society: Jubilee History 1859–1909. Manchester, Co-operative Printing Society.
  2. ^ "Funeral of the late Elijah Dixon", Manchester Guardian, 31 July 1876, p. 5
  3. ^ Taylor, Antony. "Radical Funerals, Burial Customs and Political Commemoration: the death and posthumous life of Ernest Jones". Humanities Research Vol. 10 No. 2, 2003.