Brierley, Benjamin (1825–1895)

English writer. He wrote in Lancashire dialect. In 1869 he started Ben Brierley's Journal, a weekly, which continued until 1891. He wrote several works under the pseudonym ‘Ab-o'-th'-Yate’, including Tales and Sketches of Lancashire Life (1862–63).

A silk weaver, Brierley educated himself in his spare time. In 1855 he began contributing articles to local papers, notably sketches of Lancashire character. In 1863 he became subeditor of the Oldham Times, and published The Chronicles of Waterlow. He completed his first long story, The Layrock of Langleyside (afterwards dramatized), in 1864. Irkdale (1865) and Ab-o'-th'-Yate in the ‘Wild West’ (1888) were published under his pseudonym.