Dean Kirby PhD
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manchesterhistory.uk
Dean Kirby PhD
@manchesterhistory.uk
Storyteller keeping alive people’s history. Author, family historian, tour guide, Orwell Prize nominee, PhD. Rep: @litagencygmc.bsky.social.

Newsletter: www.manchesterhistory.uk
Thanks @projectkin.bsky.social. Very kind. Not sure how but a Substack live tour one day maybe!
November 6, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Really nice to see this @petejackson.bsky.social.
October 22, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Hi Richard. I’ve sent you a quick email with my details.
September 6, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Hi Graeme. George Andrew?
August 29, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Boys and smaller men were the worst affected because they had to lean more into the machines while they were working.
August 29, 2025 at 7:42 AM
The oil was made from shale, a carcinogen that gave them scrotal cancer. Untreated, the cancer got into the internal organs and turned fatal.
August 29, 2025 at 7:42 AM
When the piercers leaned in to the machines to repair the broken yarn, the moving spindles sprayed their trousers with a fine mist mineral oil.
August 29, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Although Mule Spinners’ Cancer was discovered in Manchester in 1887, a public inquiry was not held until 1925 and cases were still being reported at the start of the Second World War.
August 29, 2025 at 7:42 AM
It is very bright even in the photo!
July 4, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Thanks Christine. Amazing. Never knew about this statue.
July 4, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Thanks T.M.
June 28, 2025 at 8:55 PM
I’ve just finished writing a series on Friedrich Engels in Manchester, but most of all enjoyed writing about my late grandma’s cooking ⬇️
The Dinner Hour
In Manchester, lunch has always been called dinner
www.manchesterhistory.uk
June 28, 2025 at 7:13 PM