William Billington 001

b24593. The Billington Meomorial in Blackburn Cemetery. William Billington was Blackburn's greatest lyric poet, and author of "Sheen and Shade", "Lancashire Songs", etc. He was born in Samlesbury on April 3rd 1827. For some years he was licensee of the "Poet Corner" public house, Bradshaw-street, he died there in 1884. The tombstone was erected by public subscription and bears his portrait in relief with an epitaph by George Hull; "Good friend, for Jesus Sake Forbeare".