These are the diaries of William Rowbottom (1756-1830), a weaver of Burnley Lane, Chadderton (Oldham, Lancashire, UK). They are a record of daily events in Oldham at the time, written in the context of what was happening in the rest of the UK. Some of the diaries have been published in other forms, including "The Most Dismal Times" (transcribed by Alan Peat, 1996) - a title that reflects the rather gloomy account of William Rowbottom's life.