Social Reformer, Author. He founded the Teetotal movement, and was a politician, writer, news publisher and philanthropist. The son of weavers, he was orphaned at seven years old and after being brought up by his grandparents, he became a successful cheese agent which enabled to him devote his energies to politics, social reform and charity. He particularly identified with the temperance movement and promoted complete abstinence from alcohol throughout his life. At a time when his home town, Preston, had on average one public house for every forty of its citizens, and a crime rate to match, it was his belief that drinking in moderation (as recommended by society and the medical profession) often led to drunkenness and dependence upon alcohol. Only total abstinence was acceptable and his followers were called upon to sign a pledge promising to abstain from alcoholic beverages. He recorded the Preston Temperance Society meeting in 1833 in which the word 'teetotal" is said to have been born. During a speech made by Richard Turner, who had a speech impediment, he remarked that partial abstinence from intoxicating liquors would not do; they must insist upon "tee-tee-tee total abstinence." His public writings had a huge readership, which he used to influence society to repeal oppressive laws, reduce poverty, and provide free education for the poor. He also established the "Institute for the Diffusion of Public Knowledge", which became a university which still operates today. He fathered thirteen children, and lived to the age of ninety.
Social Reformer, Author. He founded the Teetotal movement, and was a politician, writer, news publisher and philanthropist. The son of weavers, he was orphaned at seven years old and after being brought up by his grandparents, he became a successful cheese agent which enabled to him devote his energies to politics, social reform and charity. He particularly identified with the temperance movement and promoted complete abstinence from alcohol throughout his life. At a time when his home town, Preston, had on average one public house for every forty of its citizens, and a crime rate to match, it was his belief that drinking in moderation (as recommended by society and the medical profession) often led to drunkenness and dependence upon alcohol. Only total abstinence was acceptable and his followers were called upon to sign a pledge promising to abstain from alcoholic beverages. He recorded the Preston Temperance Society meeting in 1833 in which the word 'teetotal" is said to have been born. During a speech made by Richard Turner, who had a speech impediment, he remarked that partial abstinence from intoxicating liquors would not do; they must insist upon "tee-tee-tee total abstinence." His public writings had a huge readership, which he used to influence society to repeal oppressive laws, reduce poverty, and provide free education for the poor. He also established the "Institute for the Diffusion of Public Knowledge", which became a university which still operates today. He fathered thirteen children, and lived to the age of ninety.
Bio by: Turnpike
Inscription
IN AFFECTIONATE REMEMBRANCE OF
JOSEPH LIVESEY
OF PRESTON
WHO DIED SEPTEMBER 2ND, 1884,
IN THE 91ST YEAR OF HIS AGE,
AFTER AN HONOURED LIFE OF PHILANTHROPY
AND USEFULNESS, AS AUTHOR AND WORKER,
AS THE PIONEER OF TEMPERANCE, THE ADVOCATE
OF MORAL AND SOCIAL REFORM AND THE HELPFUL
FRIEND AND COUNSELLOR OF THE POOR.
Gravesite Details
The large tombstone, topped with a marble scroll and surrounded by metal spikes, is in the Nonconformist section of the Cemetery, near the Prayer Shelter, adjacent to New Hall Lane.
Family Members
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