Blind Jack

John Metcalf (1717-1810), also known as Blind Jack of Knaresborough was a fiddler and a professional road builder.

He lost his sight at the age of 6 after catching smallpox infection. He was given fiddle lessons early on as a way of making money earning a living as a fiddle player.

In1732 he became the fiddler at the Queen’s Head Tavern in nearby Harrogate. He also took up swimming and diving, cock fighting and because he knew the area so well as a guide to tourists.

In 1745 he became assistant to the army recruiting officer and went to Scotland.

In 1765 Parliament passed an act authorising the building of Turnpike Roads in the Knaresborough area. John won the contract and from 1765 to 1792 built about 180 miles (290)km of turnpike road in the north of England.

He retired in 1792 and lived with his daughter. In 1794 aged 77 he walked to York to tell his story to a publisher.

He died aged 93 in 1810.


From what he did during his life makes me think he wasn’t totally blind. The old pub named after him is in the market square at Knaresborough, and apparently has a large selection of real ales.