Two remarkable Victorians.

Reverend Dr. Frederick J. Falding MA. DD. (1818-1892)
College Principal, Congregationalist, reformer, antiquarian, active Liberal.

Samuel Plimsoll MP (1824-1898)
Earnest campaigner, Miners' friend, Sailors' friend.
Introduced 'The Plimsoll Line' on ships to indicate safe loading levels.

Although in seemingly different worlds, both strove to save souls. They carved discrete careers amidst industrial, political and social history, especially in London, Sheffield, Chapeltown, Ecclesfield, Masbrough, Rotherham, Derby and Bradford. Yet, as brothers-in-law, they were to exert an extraordinary influence upon each other.

Susie Timms is uniquely-qualified to tell their story. Dr. Falding is a family relative. Her ancestors include mariners whom Mr. Plimsoll fought to protect. She grew up in the Heaton and Bradford once known to Falding, and lived for 20 years in the community in which Falding was born and where Plimsoll first met romance.

The influence which Dr. Falding and Mr. Plimsoll had on each other was far more significant than hitherto recognised. They were to be brought even closer together by the circumstances of their deaths.