Richard Abbot
Richard Abbot (1818 – 15 July 1904) was an English poet. He was born in Burton-in-Kendal, Westmorland (now Cumbria). His father worked as a subcontractor on the Lancaster and Kendal Canal, which was then being extended to Tewitfield. His mother died when he was three years old. Abbot's initial education, from the age of four, was undertaken at Dame schools in Shap Fell and Galgate, Lancashire, before he studied at a National school in Ingleton, North Yorkshire. When the family was in Ingleton, Abbot's father began farming on the fells of Ingleborough, and from the age of 11, Abbot assisted him as a shepherd. Around 5 years later, his father suffered a serious accident that affected his sight and brain function, forcing him to end his farming business. Abbot gained new employment as a labourer on the construction of railways in Scotland, and parts of northern England. At the age of 50, he became the manager of a limestone quarry in the parish of Forcett, North Yorkshire. He continued in this position for 32 years. After retiring, he passed the quarry to his son. He also had two daughters. He died at his home in Forcett in 1904, at the