The life of 19th century ILPer and Leeds local historian Alf Mattison will be put under the spotlight by Professor Malcolm Chase during a lunchtime talk at Leeds Central Library on 14 January.
Born in Hunslet in 1868, Mattison grew up to be a founding member of the ILP who knew many of the great socialist figures of his age. Having started work in a local mill aged 11, his career progressed through engineering to a clerical post in Leeds’ tramways department.
But his enduring contribution to the city and its history was a vast collection of books, pamphlets, leaflets, notebooks and diaries, now divided between Leeds City Library and the Brotherton Library.
In this talk, Malcolm Chase, Professor of Social History at the University of Leeds, will offer an insight into this “remarkable man of Leeds”.
What: Leeds Socialist History: the Alf Mattison Collection
When: 1-2pm, Thursday 14 January 2016
Where: Leeds Central Library
Tickets are free but you can book via the Leeds Town Hall website.
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See also: ‘ILP@120: Alf Mattison – Leeds Archivist and Labour Activist’, by Michael Meadowcroft.
