“My friend Eric Taplin, the foremost labour historian of Liverpool, has died of cancer aged 87. When, in 1960, he arrived in the city as a lecturer at the Liverpool College of Commerce, no serious research into the development of dockers’ trade unionism had been conducted. As an enthusiastic member of the Economic History Society, Eric set out to redress this situation, starting with research into the papers of the National Union of Dock Labourers.” – Professor Sam Davies.
- Sam Davies, “Eric Taplin Obituary,” The Guardian, October 7, 2012.
- Sam Davies, “Eric Leonard Taplin, 22 February 1925 – 22 September 2012“, Liverpool John Moores University, September 27, 2012.
