Birthday Quote

In searching for a suitable quote for today, we were intrigued to find mention of Joseph Williamson, "Philanthropist and tunnel-builder"

Joseph Williamson was an eccentric English philanthropist who acquired an area of land in Edge Hill, Liverpool in 1805 and directed the building of many, apparently pointless, tunnels in the area. There is now a Williamson Tunnels Heritage Centre and there are guided tours of some of the tunnels.

Born March 10 1769 in Barnsley, Yorkshire
Died May 1st 1840 in Liverpool

Williamson said that*

My prime motive is "the employment of the poor – all receive a weekly wage and are thus enabled to enjoy the blessing of charity without the attendant curse of stifled self respect,

*slightly paraphrased to make sense.

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