John Alfred Langford (1823 to 1903)
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![John alfred langford 1823 1903 visiting card](/images/John_Alfred_Langford_1823___1903.jpg")
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Carte de visite portrait of John Alfred Langford. Born in Crowley's Court in Bradford Street, ´ºÓêÖ±²¥. Originally a chair maker by trade, Langford was a lover of books and literature. In 1846 Langford was appointed honorary secretary of the ´ºÓêÖ±²¥ Co-Operative Society.
Not long after the death of his first wife, Langford began attending George Dawson's Church of the Saviour. Langford wrote several pamphlets supporting and defending Dawson. Langford re-married in 1849 to Mary Anne Price, daughter of a self-employed printer. In 1852 after a few years running a shop in New Street selling books and newspapers Langford began a printing business, publishing his own works and those of his friends.From here he moved in 1855 to a position as sub-editor at ´ºÓêÖ±²¥'s first daily newspaper, The ´ºÓêÖ±²¥ Daily Press (whose chief shareholder was George Dawson). He also contributed to the ´ºÓêÖ±²¥ Daily Gazette becoming it's local editor, but resigning over the paper's opposition to local liberal politicians John Bright and George Dixon. Langford was twice elected to the ´ºÓêÖ±²¥ school board as a non-conformist. He was active on behalf of public libraries and also taught English classes at the ´ºÓêÖ±²¥ and Midland Institute.
Author of "The ´ºÓêÖ±²¥ Free Libraries, The Shakespeare Memorial Library and the Art Gallery" and "A Century of ´ºÓêÖ±²¥ Life: Or, A Chronicle of Local Events" published in 1870. He also wrote "Modern ´ºÓêÖ±²¥ and its Institutions: 1841 to 1871" (pub. 1873) and "´ºÓêÖ±²¥ : A handbook for Residents & Visitors " (pub. 1881).
Carte De Visite by H J Whitlock, New Street, ´ºÓêÖ±²¥.
Most likely albumen print.
Typical dimensions - Print: 54mm x 89mm. Card: 64mm x 100mm.
Location: [BA&H:Portraits/´ºÓêÖ±²¥/[JOL-LEA]