Roberts, Robert, 1905-1974

Typescript of Robert Robert's book on his childhood in Salford. He was born in Salford in 1905, the son of a corner shopkeeper. After an engineering apprentice, he was made unemployed. During this time he began to study languages and retrain as a teacher. He became an expert on adult illiteracy and taught prisoners in Strangeways Prison, Manchester. In recognition of his work in adult illiteracy, he was awarded an Hon MA by the University of Salford. He is well known for his work The Classic slum: Salford life in the first quarter of the century (1971). He died in 1974, and his portrait of growing up in Edwardian Salford, A Ragged schooling; Growing up in the classic slum, was published in 1976 by Manchester University Press. The typescript has the original title 'Sweet Irwell! Run softly'.

From the guide to the Robert Roberts: A Ragged Schooling, c1972, (University of Salford, Information Services Division)