John Roby

author

John Roby

1793–1850

Best known for preserving the legends and folklore of Lancashire, this English writer brought local history, ghost stories, and regional traditions to life. He balanced literary interests with a career in banking, giving his work an unusual mix of curiosity and grounded detail.

3 Audiobooks

Traditions of Lancashire, Volume 1

Traditions of Lancashire, Volume 1

by John Roby

The Legendary and Poetical Remains of John Roby author of 'Traditions of Lancashire', with a sketch of his literary life and character

The Legendary and Poetical Remains of John Roby author of 'Traditions of Lancashire', with a sketch of his literary life and character

by John Roby

Traditions of Lancashire, Volume 2

Traditions of Lancashire, Volume 2

by John Roby

About the author

Born in Wigan on January 5, 1793, John Roby was an English banker, poet, and writer. He is chiefly remembered for Traditions of Lancashire, a work that helped preserve the stories, customs, and supernatural lore of northwest England.

Roby spent much of his working life in banking, including in Rochdale, while pursuing literature and music alongside his business career. That combination of practical work and wide cultural interests shaped his writing, which often blends careful local knowledge with a strong feeling for legend and atmosphere.

He died on June 18, 1850. Though not as widely known today as some of his contemporaries, he remains an important figure for readers interested in regional history, folklore, and the early collection of English popular traditions.