Rowland Carr was born in Sheffield in about 1815. He was an ivory cutter and dealer, who was listed in Leadmill Road in 1841 (where he lived with his wife, Betsey). Carr was listed at various addresses thereafter, including Rockingham Lane, Westfield Terrace, and Eyre Street (from where he advertised in 1860). In 1868, when he appeared in directories for the last time, he was working in Arundel Street. He died in poverty. The General Cemetery register recorded his death on 1 February 1882, aged 67, at Ecclesall Union (workhouse). His widow, Betsey, died in 1887, aged 66.