“…If there’s another world he lives in bliss.
If there is none, he made the best of this”.

The headstone in Lister Lane Cemetery, Halifax, uses a poem by R Burns to commemorate

“The Late Old and Tried Patriot, Benjamin Rushton”.

An honest man here lies at rest,
As e`er God with his image blest;
The friend of man, the friend of truth;

The friend of age, and guide of youth;
Few hearts like his, with virtue warm`d,
Few heads with knowledge so inform`d;
If there’s another world he lives in bliss,
If there is none, he made the best of this.

Last updated :18.12.06

Pictures above: Chartist meeting at Basin Stone, 1842 By AW Bayes. Photographed by Mark Croft
Banner made for the Chartist festival, and the Charter 06.

This 40 page illustrated booklet sets the known facts of Rushton’s life into the context of radicalism in nineteenth century Halifax, and is comprehensively referenced.

It may be obtained from
Wades Bookshop, Rawson St, Halifax-
01422 354 400.
Tourist Information, The Piece Hall, Halifax,
or the Friends of Lister Lane Cemetery
friends@listerlanecemetery.co.uk

This website has been set up by the Friends of Lister Lane Cemetery to provide information about one of the most notable but little known people buried there, and to record the Ben Rushton memorial project and Chartist Festival, funded by Local Heritage Initiative in 2006.

Click on logo to visit

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