John Pinkerton (politician)

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John Pinkerton (1845–4 November 1908) was an Irish politician.

Born in Ballymoney, Co Antrim, the son of John Pinkerton of Seacon More. He was educated privately. He rose to local prominence as a member of the Ballymoney Debating and Agricultural Societies. He was a tenant farmer, a JP of Co Antrim, and served as a member of the Coleraine Board of Guardians.

In 1873, he married Isabella, daughter of Robert Pinkerton, of Ballaghmore, Co Antrim.

He was an unsuccessful candidate in the in 1885.

In 1885 he stood as an independent candidate for the North Antrim constituency, where despite defeat, he so impressed the Irish Parliamentary Party that he, a Protestant tenant farmer, was adopted as the party candidate for Galway Borough in 1886 in which he was successful. During his career as an MP he appears to have been an exceptionally active in advancing the cause of Home Rule and Land reform at Liberal demonstrations throughout Scotland and England.