William Crawford (trade unionist)
William Crawford (1833 – 1 July 1890) was an English miner, trade unionist and a Liberal politician.
Crawford was born at Cullercoats Northumberland[1] and worked in Hartley Coal Mines from the age of 10. In 1862 actively opposed the attempt of the Northumberland mine owners to impose the system of yearly hiring. He became Secretary of the Durham Miners' Association in 1863,[2] and spoke frequently at the Durham Miner's Gala[3] He was briefly secretary of the breakaway Northumberland Miners' Mutual Confident Association.[4]
In 1885 Crawford was elected Member of Parliament for Mid Durham and held the seat until his death aged 57. From 1889 to 1890 he was a member of the Institute of Mining Engineers. Crawford was a chief promotor of the College of the Venerable Bede, Durham and acted as its treasurer until his death.[5]
References
External links
- Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by William Crawford
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| New constituency | Member of Parliament for Mid Durham 1885 – 1890 |
Succeeded by John Wilson |
| Trade union offices | ||
| Preceded by New position |
Secretary of the Northumberland Miners' Association 1864 |
Succeeded by Thomas Burt |
| Preceded by William Crake |
President of the Durham Miners' Association 1870–1871 |
Succeeded by John Forman |
| Preceded by A. Cairns |
General Secretary of the Durham Miners' Association 1871–1890 |
Succeeded by William Hammond Patterson |