John Cole gives Visitors evening John Bright talk
On a night when Rochdale Rotary club welcomed visitors Local Historian John Cole gave a masterly outline of that famous Rochdale politician John Bright.
Wow! what a mind; to have such an encompassing view of the world -his antislavery stance and backing for the Yankies earned him the friendship of the US President Abraham Lincoln who gave him a gift(walking stick) .Bright didn't hang about and although he was never MP for Rochdale he entered Parliament for Manchester,Durham and Birmingham.
John Bright is a controversial figure who perhaps could have done more to stop the exploitation of children and women in heavy factory work.There were spells of extreme energetic activity followed by spells of depression suggesting he may have suffered from bipolar disorder.
He was a great orator and drew large audiences wherever he spoke
His anti Crimea stance cost him his seat but he was a man of strong ideals
President Joan and all members and guests thanked John Cole for his superb talk