From Bradford Moor to Silver Dale. The life, work, and legacy of W. Riley, 1866-1961

Abstract

This thesis presents the first full account of the life and achievements of Bradford-born W. Riley (1866-1961), once internationally known as a popular and prolific Yorkshire author. Before becoming a famous writer, he was Managing Director of the successful Bradford Optical Lantern Company, Riley Brothers and was also, for 75 years, a Methodist local preacher and an important layman within northern Methodism. He wrote 39 books, published many stories and articles, and was a busy lecturer. Riley located most of his 30 novels in the Yorkshire Dales and has left a legacy of vivid portraits of people and places in the dales that he knew and loved. This biography of Riley draws upon material never seen hitherto, expanding upon the author's diffident autobiography. The complete bibliography of his extensive writings includes much new and long-lost material. In presenting Riley to a new generation, this account places him in context with his contemporaries. Riley proclaimed his Christianity sympathetically and attractively to his receptive public in much of his output. This thesis includes an insight into the spiritual life, outlook and thinking of a popular and much-respected committed and active Methodist local preacher. Riley's life story is the account of a remarkably successful, self-motivated Victorian. He was a household name in his time, both in Yorkshire and internationally. The research for this thesis has uncovered important material relating to Riley, which will be held in the W. Riley Archive, at the Special Collections Section of the University of Bradford J.P. Priestley Library.