In 1999, Robert Stanley’s family were astonished to discover something about their Victorian ancestor; that Robert – working-class man, self-made businessman, civic loyalist and twice elected Mayor of Stalybridge in East Manchester – had become a Muslim in 1898.
Even stranger perhaps, was the synchronicity of this story; that Steven, Robert’s Greatx3 Grandson, had also reverted to Islam in 1990, despite knowing nothing about this family history, largely because of a veil of secrecy and mystery.
The discovery was unearthed by Brian, Robert’s Great Great Grandson (Steven’s dad). After being made redundant as a lorry mechanic in the late 90’s, Brian threw himself into investigating his family history.
He was astonished to uncover not only documents written about Robert Stanley by Sheikh-al Islam ‘Abdullah’ William Quilliam (the UK’s earliest and most celebrated white Muslim revert) but also artefacts belonging to Robert Reschid, including the historical fez that Robert wore to the first mosque in the UK in Liverpool – founded by Quilliam.
This was the starting point. A few years later and I have now written two
books about him, alongside and ongoing wider project about this most astonishing man’s life.
You can now buy the historical biography ‘His Own Man’ and the fiction version of his life, ‘Imagining Robert’ – both as paperbacks and as eBooks.
If you head on over to www.robertreschidstanley.wordpress.com you can also see how to invite me along as a speaker – to tell your community group, school or organisation a bit more about the lessons we can learn from the life of people like our Robert.