John Alfred Langford (1823 to 1903)
-
-
Carte de visite portrait of John Alfred Langford. Born in Crowley's Court in Bradford Street, Birmingham. Originally a chair maker by trade, Langford was a lover of books and literature. In 1846 Langford was appointed honorary secretary of the Birmingham 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 Birmingham's first daily newspaper, The Birmingham Daily Press (whose chief shareholder was George Dawson). He also contributed to the Birmingham 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 Birmingham school board as a non-conformist. He was active on behalf of public libraries and also taught English classes at the Birmingham and Midland Institute.
Author of "The Birmingham Free Libraries, The Shakespeare Memorial Library and the Art Gallery" and "A Century of Birmingham Life: Or, A Chronicle of Local Events" published in 1870. He also wrote "Modern Birmingham and its Institutions: 1841 to 1871" (pub. 1873) and "Birmingham : A handbook for Residents & Visitors " (pub. 1881).
Carte De Visite by H J Whitlock, New Street, Birmingham.
Most likely albumen print.
Typical dimensions - Print: 54mm x 89mm. Card: 64mm x 100mm.
Location: [BA&H:Portraits/Birmingham/[JOL-LEA]
