Author talk:Augustus Charles Bickley

Marriage
"BICKLEY—BALL.—On the 14th inst., at St St. John's Woking, by he vicar. Augustus Charles Bickley, of St. John's, youngest son of the late Francis Bickley, of Carlisle, and grandson of the late Francis Bickley, of Trinidad, to Edith Louisa, eldest daughter of A. W. Ball, Esq. of Knap-hill, Surrey."
 * The Morning Post (London, England), Monday, June 20, 1887; pg. [1]; Issue 35881. — Births, Deaths, Marriages and Obituaries

News article 1898
AN OPEN INVITATION Judge Lumley Smith, Q.C., heard yesterday in the Westminster County Court the case of "Bickley v. Bingham-Cox," which was an action to recover £11 for articles and stories supplied. Plaintiff, Augustus Charles Bickley, author and journalist, supplied "Mephisto's Bad Bargain," "Mr. Scrutton's Water Rate," "Underground London," Christmas Hamper," &c. and they appeared in defendant's paper, the Rocket. He had not been paid. Mr. Tonkin, solicitor, for the defence said that only some of the items were disputed. When the paper was in its infancy larger sums were paid to catch authors, but when it was well-established the prices were reduced, and the following notice inserted: "We want short stories. Authors want money—at least most of them do, Now, scribes, whetstone your wits." (Laughter.) His Honour (reading): "Ink-slingers, don't be backward." (Laughter.) Mr. Tonkin said that some of the items were articles, but plaintiff claimed for them as stories, which were paid for at a higher rate. His Honour awarded plaintiff £9 5s., with costs.
 * The Morning Post (London, England), Thursday, February 24, 1898; pg. 7; Issue 39226. — AN OPEN INVITATION.

More info
Augustus Charles Bickley now exists. Two pieces there of further information: AC Bickley was born in Birmingham; and was brother to Francis Bridges Bickley (died 1905), Assistant Keeper of manuscripts in the British Museum.

Also of interest re Francis Bickley of Trinidad is this. The Francis Bickley, possible son, "born c. 1821 a surgeon/dentist lodging at 1851 in Paternoster Row, Abbey Street Cumberland" could well be the Francis Bickley of Carlisle, since Paternoster Row by Carlisle Cathedral is just off Abbey Street. In fact the circumstantial evidence is strong. This Francis Bickley married Harriet Bridges in 1851, and was declared bankrupt so is documented in the London Gazette. He is called "Francis Bickley the younger", and the father apparently went to Penzance. In 1855 he is advertising as a dentist in Old Square, Birmingham.

Charles Matthews (talk) 06:28, 11 May 2016 (UTC)