Robert Rose ... The Bard of Colour .... Manchester 1849

By chance I tuned into Testament to Rose on Radio 4 today.

Liverpool Road close to Byrom Street, 1860

And it has set me off on a search for Robert Rose who described himself as the Bard of Colour.

I know that after living in Liverpool he moved to Manchester where he wrote some fine poetry.

So far all I have is his burial plot number in Manchester General Cemetery and an entry for a Robert Rose "author" living off Byrom Street in Castlefield in 1841.

So I shall keep looking for him and in the meantime listen again to Testament to Rose, which the sleeve notes introduce Mr. Rose,

"When beatboxer and poet Testament discovers a mixed-race poet once lived and prospered 200 years ago in his hometown of Manchester, he’s captivated.

He sets off to talk to historians, a librarian and even a descendant of one of Robert Rose’s friends to find out what he can about The Bard of Colour – Rose’s self-given title. In Britain’s oldest public library, Chetham’s Library, Testament handles one of Rose’s notebooks, marvelling at his beautiful handwriting.

Tonman Street, near Byrom Street, 1850

What was the half-Guyanese Robert Rose doing here, in Victorian Manchester, on a generous private income, wining and dining with people of influence? 

Educated at public school, who were his patrons? Who were his parents? 

Why is he obscured from history? And is his poetry any good? A resounding "Yes!" from poet, novelist and fellow Guyanese David Dabydean who, like Testament, is excited to discover the work of Robert Rose.

A radical unafraid to speak up against slavery, a man with a vivid social life and many good friends, Rose was nevertheless far from home. 

Paterson Joseph brings Rose’s lyrical verse to life, some of it full of longing: "A wanderer here, O! Who for me would mourn/If the vast sea of life should o'er me close?"

Presented by Testament

Contributors: David Dabydeen, Lucy Evans, David Altson, Fergus Wilde, Michael Kelly, Jeanne Carmont, Voice of Robert Rose: Paterson Joseph, Research by Glynis Greenman, Additional recording: Ed Heaton, Produced by Nija Dalal-Small, Executive Producer: Mel Harris, Sound Design by Eloise Whitmore, A Sparklab production for BBC Radio 4"

Pictures; The former station on Liverpool Road, S. Langton, 1860, m62891, St Matthews’s Church, 1850, m71038, courtesy of Manchester Libraries, Information and Archives, Manchester City Council, http://images.manchester.gov.uk/index.php?session=pass

*Testament to Rose, BBC, Radio 4, https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001w0v2