William Crawford (trade unionist)

William Crawford (1833 – 1 July 1890) was an English miner, trade unionist, and a Liberal politician.

Crawford in the 1880s

Crawford was born at Cullercoats Northumberland[1] and worked in Hartley Coal Mines from the age of 10. In 1862 he 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 promoter of the College of the Venerable Bede, Durham and acted as its treasurer until his death.[5]

References

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  1. ^ British Census 1881
  2. ^ Debretts Guide to the House of Commons 1886
  3. ^ Durham Mining Museum - Willia Crawford
  4. ^ Morpeth Antiquarian Society
  5. ^ "The Eagle". 1859.
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Parliament of the United Kingdom
New constituency Member of Parliament for Mid Durham
18851890
Succeeded by
Trade union offices
Preceded by
New position
Secretary of the Northumberland Miners' Association
1864
Succeeded by
Preceded by
William Crake
President of the Durham Miners' Association
1870–1871
Succeeded by
Preceded by
A. Cairns
General Secretary of the Durham Miners' Association
1871–1890
Succeeded by
Preceded by Secretary of the Miners' National Union
1877 – 1890
Succeeded by
Preceded by Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee of the TUC
1880 – 1881
Succeeded by
Preceded by Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee of the TUC
1887 – 1888
Succeeded by