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]
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- 1833 births
- 1890 deaths
- Liberal Party (UK) MPs for English constituencies
- UK MPs 1885–86
- UK MPs 1886–92
- English miners
- English trade unionists
- Leaders of British trade unions
- People from Northumberland
- Members of the Parliamentary Committee of the Trades Union Congress
- Liberal MP for England stubs
- British trade unionist stubs