Blue Plaque unveiled to Robert Tressell

THE author of the “trade unionist’s bible” has been honoured with a blue plaque in Liverpool city centre to mark the place where he died.

Robert Tressell – real name Robert Noonan – wrote the semi-autobiographical novel The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists after working all his life as a painter and decorator.

It was published for the first time in 1914, three years after his death from tuberculosis, aged 40, in the old Royal Infirmary, in Pembroke Place, in 1911.

Actor Ricky Tomlinson, who read the book while in Leicester prison in the 1970s, joined around 60 Tressell fans to watch Reg Johnson unveil the plaque.

Mr Johnson, 80, is the last surviving member of Tressell’s family.  He married Tressell’s grand-daughter Joan, and is now the custodian of the Tressell papers at his home in East Grinstead, West Sussex.

The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists follows the fortunes of a group of painters and decorators and the attempts to rouse their political will by a socialist visionary.  It is full of contempt for the capitalist system and the ruling classes, while also offering comic twists.

Ricky Tomlinson was given a copy by Leicester Prison’s governor during his two-year jail term for union activities.  He said: “It changed my politics.” 

Cllr Sharon Sullivan, a Labour councillor for Liverpool Central, bought her first copy in 1974 for the equivalent of £1.50.  She said: “The book is the trades unionist’s bible.  “It’s become more relevant as I’ve got older and wiser and more in tune with what’s happening.”

Tressell was buried along with 12 others in a paupers’ grave in Rice Lane, opposite Walton prison.

The plaque was installed on the outside of the old Infirmary, which is now part of Liverpool University, by Liverpool Trades Council.