Furness, Richard
1791-1857

Born on 2 August 1791 at Eyam, Derbys., he showed early linguistic and poetic gifts. At 14 he was apprenticed to a currier at Chesterfield and at 17 became a WM local preacher, walked to London and enlisted; but after about five years left the Methodists in the face of criticism over a patriotic song he had written for singing in a public house. Back in Eyam, he set up as a currier, but his business was not helped by his other interests and an elopement. In 1821 he became a teacher and also parish clerk at Dore, S. Yorks, practising medicine and surgery also. He also designed and superintended the building of a new chapel at Dore. He began published poetry in 1832 and his poem 'Old Year's Funeral' was commended by James Montgomery. He was asthmatic and died at Dore on 13 December 1857. His collected poems were published in 1858.

Sources
  • 'Biographical Sketch', in Poetical Works (1858)
  • Oxford DNB

Category: Person
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