Jeremy Deller: William Dodd

Artist Jeremy Deller responds to Tate Britain's Beauty as Protest: 1845–1905 display

William Dodd

William Dodd, A Narrative of the Experience and Sufferings of William Dodd ..., written by himself, Seeley, 1841

During the day, I frequently counted the clock, and calculated how many hours I had still to remain at work; my evenings were spent in preparing for the following day - in rubbing my knees, ankles, elbows, and wrists with oil, etc. I went to bed, to cry myself to sleep, and pray that the Lord would take me to himself before morning.

William Dodd was employed in a textile mill from the age of five, until injury and disability forced him to leave. He struggled in a career as teacher, clerk and writer about child labour. His publications helped begin improvements in child labour laws.

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