William Billington

William Billington (3 April 1825 – 3 January 1884) was an English poet, living in Blackburn, Lancashire and sometimes writing in dialect. He became known as "The Blackburn Poet".

Life Billington was born in Samlesbury, Lancashire in 1825. His parents Benedict and Ann Billington were at the time unemployed hand-loom weavers, working for a contractor for roadmaking. His father died in 1832; three of his children died from tuberculosis before 1837. The surviving children were supported by Ann's hand-loom weaving.

He learned to read and write at Catholic Sunday schools; otherwise he was mainly self-taught. The songs composed by his uncle Robert Bolton, and the works of local poet Richard Dugdale, a lifelong friend, helped to give an interest in poetry.

Billington died on 3 January 1884 at Bradshaw Street, Blackburn.

Works A collection, Sheen and Shade, appeared in 1861. The poems are in standard English. Lancashire Songs, with other Poems and Sketches, including poems written in dialect, appeared in 1883.