Below are listed a selection of revealing quotes from Ebenezer Elliott. The quotations give  an easy way in to understanding the poet's life, interests and thoughts.

"I am a tradesman, at school I was not taught grammar. I have since endeavoured to learn the english (sic) language. From the age of sixteen my leisure hours have been devoted to poetry; and, when you are told that I have been eleven years a writer of verses, you will perhaps cease to think favourably of my abilities. Yet if I live I will be a poet. But I have much reason to believe I shall not live long.”  1809 letter to Robert Southey.

"Who is the poet of the poor, if I am not?"   1840

"The Bard of the Beggars."  Attributed to Elliott by Spencer Timothy Hall (1812-1885), writer and newspaper man.

Elliott referred to himself as "the bard of the rabble."

"He is a lying varlet who says I ever excited the poor to revenge. The single purpose of my writings is to prevent the catastrophe which the oppressors of all are bringing on themselves and the nation."

"Poverty is a crime in this country." John Watkins, Elliott’s prospective son-in-law, noted this Elliott observation.

"Do not address me Esquire. I have been a hard-working man all my life, and am now a humble tradesman with a very large family to maintain, and so they call me a big man, because we cannot get into a very small house."  Letter to John Watkins.

"I claim to be a pioneer of the greatest, the most beneficial, the only crimeless Revolution, which man has yet seen. I also claim to be the poet of that Revolution – the Bard of Freetrade; and through the prosperity, wisdom and loving-kindness which Free-trade will ultimately bring, the Bard of Universal Peace."  More Verse & Prose vol 1.

"I would not, could not if I would, be glad, But, like shade-loving plants, am happiest sad."

"I much doubt whether there is one good thought in all my writings that I had not stolen from somebody."

"I husband my materials, because I am intellectually poor."  Autobiographical Fragment.

"I cannot like Byron and Montgomery pour poetry from my heart as from an unfailing fountain."

"I had the honour to originate the first Anti-Corn-Law Association. It was called the ‘Sheffield Mechanics' Anti-Bread-tax Society.' The 'Corn Law Rhymes' was written to spread the opinion of it’s members;  and I still think our Declaration a masterpiece of it’s kind."  Letter to John Watkins February 1844.

"I am for your Charter,  but I am not for being starved to death first."  Elliott remark noted by Asa Briggs.

Competition is "the great social law of God."

" ... we see so few humans here, that the devil would be welcome if he came, as I hope he will soon."  Written from Elliott’s remote rural home at Hargate Hill near Barnsley a few weeks before he died. This amusing remark appeared in a letter sent to January Searle on 5^th September 1849.

"All genuine poets are fervid politicians."  Introduction to "The Corn Law Rhymes."

"I do not remember the time when I was not dissatisfied with the condition of society. Without ever envying any man his wealth or power, I have always considered why the strong oppress the weak."    

In a conversation with Samuel Smiles, Elliott remarked "People think me ferocious, but I cannot write gently on that great crime*. And yet I could not hurt a fly, even if it stung me."   (*Elliott was referring to the Bread Tax)

"Southey does not like my politics: he thinks me rabid; but he admires my poetry." Conversation with Smiles in 1838.

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