Samuel Laycock 1826-1893 A dialect poet whose work presents a vivid impression of mid-nineteenth century working class life. He drew on his personal experience in the cotton industry. He came to Stalybridge aged eleven. He was the librarian at the Mechanics Institute from 1865 until 1871. His best loved poems are 'Bowton's Yard' and 'Bonny Brid', both written in Stalybridge.