Brass Crosby was born in Stockton on Tees in the C18, went to London to work, and rose through the ranks in civic life, becoming Lord Mayor of London in 1770. His most important achievement was in allowing the press to accurately print the proceedings of Parliament, but being sent to the Tower of London for his pains.
The book tells of what is known of his early life in Stockton and his family tree. Also the stories of his three successive wives.
Then there is the route taken to become Mayor, from being a councillor, to Alderman, through various other offices held and guilds he belonged to, as well as being an MP for the rotten borough of Honiton, before becoming Lord Mayor.
He brought about a number of reforms, including the ending of the notorious press gangs in the City of London that was copied elsewhere.
Whilst he was Mayor it was a tumultuous time politically with an unpopular government, and Parliament forbade the press from printing just what was said in Parliament. There were numerous rebellions against this and a chapter on “what happened in the bedroom” (whilst Crosby was laid up in bed with his gout) is the beginning of the undemocratic rule being overturned.
Parliament was angry, and after events there he was sentenced to the Tower of London. After his release the press had the freedom to print an actual account of speeches given in Parliament.
This action by Brass Crosby deserves to have wider recognition; it was a fundamental change in our democracy. Whether it led to the saying “Bold as Brass” is the final chapter for you to think about.