Benjamin Shaw was born in Dent, Cumbria in December 1772. He became a mechanic and worked in a mill at Dolphinholme near Garstang, before moving with his wife and son to Preston in March 1795. He was employed in various local cotton mills over the next forty years. His children mostly worked at Horrockses. His daughters went to the carding rooms at the age of nine. In 1826 Benjamin Shaw wrote his life story, which is one of the most important sources for working class life in 19th century Lancashire.