Richard Wright Procter

Richard Wright Procter (1816–1881) was an English barber, poet, and author.

Life The son of Thomas Procter, he was born of poor parents in Paradise Vale, Salford, Lancashire, on 19 December 1816. Apprenticed to a barber, in due course he set up in business for himself in Long Millgate, Manchester, where he also ran a circulating library. He remained there for the rest of his life.

Procter died at 133 Long Millgate, Manchester, on 11 September 1881, and was buried at St. Luke's, Cheetham. He had married, in 1840, Eliza Waddington, who predeceased him, and left five sons.

He had pieces published in City Muse (1853), edited by William Reid of Manchester. His other published works include:

Gems of Thought and Flowers of Fancy, 1855; a volume of poetical selections, of which the first and last pieces are by himself. The Barber's Shop, with illustrations by William Morton, 1856; sketches of the odd characters he met. A second edition incorporated lore relating to hairdressing and to notable barbers, published, with a memoir by William Edward Armytage Axon, 1883. Literary Reminiscences and Gleaning with Illustrations, 1860; mainly on Lancashire poets. Our Turf, our Stage, and our Ring, 1862; historical sketches of racing and sporting life in Manchester. Manchester in Holiday Dress, 1866; on theatres and other amusements in Manchester before 1810. Memorials of Manchester Streets, 1874. Memorials of Bygone Manchester, with Glimpses of the Environs, 1880.