The Amazing Story of Millican Dalton

Millican Dalton was born in Foulard, Nenthead, Alston, Cumberland, on 20 April 1867.

His father William Dalton, a Quaker, worked for the London Lead Company who worked as a smelt mill agent. He lived with his wife Frances, who was part of the Millican family from Alston.

London Lead Company, also known as The Quaker Co, mined in the Cumberland hills bordering Durham and Northumberland.

Millican Dalton was known as the caveman of Borrowdale or the Professor of Adventure.

He spent his early life in the northwest of England before his family relocated to Essex.

Earning a living as an insurance clerk in London, he lived in Loughton where he had a cottage.

By the age of 36, gave up this existence and went to live in a cave in Borrowdale.

Undoubtedly, he was decades ahead of his time, Millican Dalton – vegetarian, pacifist and teetotaller.

Furthermore, he lived off his wits, surviving on a modest income as a climbing instructor.

“Dalton’s Cave”, as it is known locally, is on the east face of Castle Crag.

It comprises two inter-connected split-levelled caves left over from the slate quarrying industry.

He inhabited it for almost fifty years.

As a result, and to this day, Dalton’s legacy can be seen in the upper chamber of the cave, where he etched an epitaph into the wall… “Don’t Waste Words, Jump to Conclusions”.

Residents of nearby Keswick became aware of his uncharacteristic residency which caught their imagination and was soon picked up by the media.

It was evident that Millican did not shy away from press coverage. In fact, he was the subject of many newspaper articles in which he seemed to actually enjoy relaying his story.

He achieved national publicity in January 1941 when he appeared on page 7 of the Daily Mirror.

During his camping excursions, he enjoyed campfire conversations and was always ready to offer his opinion on the great ideas of the day.

Additionally, visitors often spoke of peace and relaxation after spending time with Millican.

Embracing the solitude of his cave, he became attuned to the nature around him.

It was during an interview with a newspaper in 1941, he commented, “Well, I don’t sleep much, and while I am awake I lie and listen and think.

There’s a lot to think about just now, isn’t there?

All the sounds of the nights, the roar of the mountain stream, the barking of our dogs and foxes, the cries of birds, how can I be lonely with such company?”