
Rushton quickly became an experienced sailor. At the age 16,
he took the helm of a ship which the captain and crew were about to abandon and
guided them safely back to Liverpool. Because of this event, he was promoted
from his apprenticeship to the position of second mate. In addition, at the age
of 17 he survived the sinking of a slave ship he was aboard while on the way
back from Guinea.
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Slave ship |
Unable to sail because of his blindness, Rushton returned to
Liverpool and moved in with his sister. He was supported financially by his
father, and hired local boys to come read to him every week. He began to learn
more about politics and philosophy, and started writing about these topics
through dictation to the boys. His first poem, The Dismembered Empire, was
published in 1782. In it, he criticised British rulers using the framework of
the American War. He was married in 1784 to Isabelle Rain. His father
tried to set him up to run a tavern and make some money, but he was unsuited to
the work and continued to write. Rushton continued writing, using his first hand
experience with the slave trade and other experiences at sea for inspiration. Rushton later became the editor of the
Liverpool Herald. However, this was short-lived due to his radical ideals. When
Rushton's partner suggested that he retract a particularly radical editorial,
Rushton resigned. He became a bookseller as well, but his outspoken views did
nothing but gain him enemies. Rushton made no attempts to censor his radical
beliefs about the French Revolution or the social unrest in Britain.
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School for the blind |
However, Rushton was able to make enough money from
bookselling to live comfortably and educate his children. In the late 1780s, he
became a member of the literary and philosophical society and began donating
money to help blind paupers. This led to Rushton establishing the Liverpool
School for the Indigent Blind, which opened in 1791, second only in the world
to the Paris school. The School for the Blind was first established, on the east
side of Commutation-row, where two contiguous houses were rented for the purpose.
it is however most associated with the site on Hardman street which was later
to become the headquarters of Merseyside Police and later still The Trades
Union Centre. The white Portland stone extension dates from 1932 and sits at
the corner with Hope Street opposite the Philharmonic Dining Rooms. It replaced
the neo classical school church, designed by John Foster junior, which was
built in London Road and moved to this corner site stone by stone in 1851.
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The white Portland stone extension |
The object of the school was to instruct the indigent blind
in various trades; and to enable the scholars to learn some occupation or
business.
In 1807, Rushton had an operation which allowed him to
regain his sight. For the first time in 33 years, he was able to see his wife
and children. In 1811, his wife Isabella and one of his daughters both died.
Rushton died on 22 November 1814 of paralysis in Liverpool,
Sources
Liverpool Central Library
Liverpool Records Office
Liverpool University
Wikipedia
Robert F Edwards
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