William Cleghorn

Mr. William Cleghorn (1777–1860), better known locally as "Billy Conolly" was the last of the old eccentrics of Newcastle.

Life Mr. William Cleghorn, more generally known as "Billy Conolly" was born c. 1777 in Alnwick, Northumberland. He served his time to be a leather breeches maker, but for many years he led a wandering life, selling the ballads and stories of Cattanach of the Seven Dials, London. (Mr Cattanach was also a native of Alnwick.) He is said to have been the veritable "King of the Beggars" in St. Giles's; and at one time he was kidnapped and carried to France, and exhibited as a dwarf, being very diminutive in stature. He was liberated on complaining of his treatment to some of the authorities of a town who had come to see the English dwarf. In his latter days he earned a livelihood by selling nuts and oranges, and was well patronised by the public. Mr. William Cleghorn died on 9 August 1860 in Alnwick, aged 83.