William Henry Watkins (19 March 1862 – 29 July 1924) was a British co-operative activist.
William Henry Watkins | |
|---|---|
| Born | 19 March 1862 |
| Died | 29 July 1924 (aged 62) |
| Children | William Pascoe Watkins |
Born in Plymouth, Watkins studied at Plymouth Public School and the Apprentices School, then took politics and economics through the University of Oxford's extension course. He completed an apprenticeship as a shipwright before taking a land-based clerical position for the Royal Navy, working in stores.[1]
In 1887, Watkins joined the Plymouth Co-operative Society, and he spent much of the remainder of his life teaching for the movement. He was a founder of a local co-operative house painters' society, and took various posts in the movement, becoming secretary of the Co-operative Union's south west region, and serving on its central board and various national committees. He was president of the Co-operative Congress in 1910 and of the Plymouth Co-operative Society from 1914 to 1919. A strong advocate of the movement involving itself in politics, he was the first chairman of the Co-operative Party, serving until his death.[1]
Watkins also served on the Consumer Council, and from 1919 until his death was a Labour Party member of Plymouth City Council.[1]