Billy Boy: The Story of a Lancashire Weaver's Son

British chronicler William Woodruff was born in Blackburn, England on September 12, 1916. At the age of 10, he spent more time on paper routes than in school. He dropped out of school at age 13 to work in a grocer's store. At the age of 16, he found work in an iron foundry in London. Union leaders and Labor Party politicians convinced him to go to night school and he eventually earned a bachelor's degree and master's degree from Oxford University and a doctorate from Nottingham University. He taught at numerous universities including Nottingham University, Harvard University, the University of Illinois, and the University of Florida. He wrote numerous books including The Road to Nab End, Beyond Nab End, Vessel of Sadness, and Paradise Galore. He died on September 23, 2008 at the age of 92.