Joseph Philip Robson
Joseph Philip Robson (or J. P. Robson) (1808 – 1870) was a Tyneside poet and writer of the 19th century. His most famous works are The Pitman’s Happy Times and "The Pawnshop Bleezin’" a comic description of the reactions of the various customers to the pawnshop going up in flames. He was a contemporary of other Geordie songwriters like George "Geordie" Ridley and Joe Wilson. Early life Joseph Philip Robson was born 24 September 1808 in Bailiffgate, Newcastle upon Tyne. His father was preparing for priesthood at Stonyhurst College when he suffered ill health, resulting in his inability to complete his training, and he became a Roman Catholic School teacher. Both of his parents died when he was very young, his mother when he was 6 and his father 2 years later, when he was only 8. J P Robson himself was apprenticed as a plane maker, but severely injured himself while lifting a heavy log. He was well educated and changed career directions, becoming, like his father, a schoolmaster. He took to poetry at an early age and had his first works published in 1831. Marriage He was married on 21 September 1830 at St Andrew Church, Newcastle upon