“ He had been for 30 years on the literary staff of the Manchester Guardian, and for his general literary work was distinguished by the Manchester University, which conferred on him the honorary degree of Master of Arts. ”

“ He was a prominent member of the Anti-Tobacco League, and was also an ardent vegetarian. As hon. secretary of the Manchester and Salford Sunday Society he took a prominent part in the agitation for the opening of the Manchester libraries on Sunday. He had begun life as a boy in the Manchester Reference Library, and was early drawn to literary pursuits. ”