Jeremy Deller: William Dodd

During the day, I frequently counted the clock, and calculated how many hours I had still to remain at work; my evenings were spent in preparing for the following day - in rubbing my knees, ankles, elbows, and wrists with oil, etc. I went to bed, to cry myself to sleep, and pray that the Lord would take me to himself before morning.

William Dodd was employed in a textile mill from the age of five, until injury and disability forced him to leave. He struggled in a career as teacher, clerk and writer about child labour. His publications helped begin improvements in child labour laws.