F. R. Raines was born in Whitby, Yorkshire, on 22 February 1805. He was educated at Burton Pidsea in Holderness and, from the age of 13, at Clitheroe as apprentice to William Coultate, surgeon, who later moved to Burnley. During his apprenticeship Raines went to Clitheroe and Burnley Grammar Schools, but he found medicine uncongenial and was released from his apprenticeship.
In 1826 he was admitted to St Bees Theological College and following his ordination became assistant curate of Saddleworth in 1828. Soon after he took the curacy of Rochdale parish church, and in 1832 was appointed perpetual curate of the chapelry of St James, Milnrow, where he remained for the rest of his life. In 1836 he married Honora Elizabeth, daughter of Major John Beswicke of Pike House, Littleborough. His appointments included Domestic Chaplain to Earl Dunmore, 1841, Rural Dean of Rochdale, 1846-1877, and Honorary Canon of Manchester Cathedral, 1849.
Raines began his antiquarian studies at Saddleworth, where he helped James Butterworth to compile The History and Description of the Parochial Chapelry of Saddleworth (1828). In 1843 he helped to found the Chetham Society and succeeded Parkinson as Vice President in 1858. He was responsible for editing eighteen volumes of the Society's Remains, more than any other single editor, and was widely regarded as the chief authority on the history of Rochdale and its neighbouring towns.
Raines died after a short illness at Scarborough on 17 October 1878, and was buried in Milnrow churchyard. A memorial was later erected in the church.
From the guide to the The Raines Collection, 13th century-19th century, (Chetham's Library)
