Joseph Philip Robson

Joseph Philip Robson (or J. P. Robson) (1808 1870) was a Tyneside poet and writer of the 19th century. His most famous works are The Pitman’s Happy Times and "The Pawnshop Bleezin’" a comic description of the reactions of the various customers to the pawnshop going up in flames. He was a contemporary of other Geordie songwriters like George "Geordie" Ridley and Joe Wilson.

Early life

Joseph Philip Robson[1] was born 24 September 1808 in Bailiffgate, Newcastle upon Tyne. His father was preparing for priesthood at Stonyhurst College when he suffered ill health, resulting in his inability to complete his training, and he became a Roman Catholic School teacher. Both of his parents died when he was very young, his mother when he was 6 and his father 2 years later, when he was only 8.

J P Robson himself was apprenticed as a plane maker, but severely injured himself while lifting a heavy log. He was well educated and changed career directions, becoming, like his father, a schoolmaster. He took to poetry at an early age and had his first works published in 1831.

Marriage

He was married on 21 September 1830 at St Andrew Church,[2] Newcastle upon Tyne to Isabella Stobbs. (Isabella was born in 1811 in Newcastle, and had worked as a Plain Sewer. She died in the early months of 1875 in Newcastle upon Tyne, aged 65). They had one daughter and three sons.

Later life

He became a celebrated poet and a friend of many prominent poets of the day. He was persuaded by two of his musical friends to start writing in the dialect, which he did, with great success.

He received a commission from Prince Louis Lucien Bonaparte[3] (1813-1891), to create a version of the Song of Solomon in the Tyneside dialect. In 1849-50 he moved on to editing, being involved in the book of "The Bards of the Tyne" which was a collection of local songs, including some of his own songs. In 1854 he left Newcastle and settled in Sunderland, where he assisted in the compilation of a shipping register. He later returned to Newcastle.

After the publication of "Hermione" in 1857 he received,(through Lord Palmerston), a grant of £20 from the Civil List. Towards the summer of 1869 while arranging for the publication of "Evangeline" he had a stroke. Although he did improve, this eventually led to his death. He died on 26 August 1870 in Clayton Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, aged 62 and was buried in Jesmond Old Cemetery,[4] Newcastle upon Tyne.

Works

From the amount of material, J P Robson was one of the most prolific of all the Geordie poets of the time: his songwriting added to the rich source of the dialect: nor should his contribution to the musical and dialectical history of the area.

This material includes :-

Poetry

Dialect

Editing & Publishing

He edited "The Bards of the Tyne"[7] which was a collection of local songs (1849–50). This work included some of his own songs.

c1854 he assisted in the compilation of a shipping register[8] while living in Sunderland.

See also

References

  1. Robson, J.P. (6 March 1874). "The Life of J P Robson, 'Bard of the Tyne and Minstrel of the Wear', an autobiography, with an appendix by W. Fergusson. Price 3d, per post four stamps - and the publisher - J W Chater, 89, Clayton Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne" The Newcastle Courant etc (Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England), Friday, March 6, 1874. Sold by Allan Everett, France, Ross - The Newcastle Courant etc (Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England): J W Chater, 89, Clayton Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne.
  2. "The Parish Church of St Andrew in Newcastle upon Tyne".
  3. "H.R.H. Prince Louis Lucien Bonaparte by Bishop Drury".
  4. "Friends of Jesmond Old Cemetery".
  5. Robson, Joseph Philip (1860). The Song of Solomon, versified from the English translation of James of England into the dialect of the colliers of Northumberland, but principally those dwelling on the banks of the Tyne, by J. P. Robson. London: George Barclay.
  6. Robson, Joseph Philip (1860). The Book of Ruth in the Northumberland dialect; from the authorised English version, by J. P. Robson. London: George Barclay.
  7. "Farne Folk Archive Resource North East".
  8. "William Andrews. North country poets : poems and biographies of natives or residents of Northumberland, Cumberland, Westmoreland, Durham, Lancashire and Yorkshire ... : (modern section) (Volume 2)".

External links

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