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1924 General Election
Features total votes and percents received by the Conservatives, Liberals, Labour Party, Sinn Fein, Communist Party and Constitutionalist. Includes brief description of terms.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/GE1924.htm
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Aneurin Bevan
Long-time leader of the left-wing Labour Party and Minister of Health. Includes excerpts from the works of various writers. (1897-1960)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUbevan.htm
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Annie Besant
Noted Socalist, women's rights, and trade union activist during the late 1800's and early 1900's. Member of the Secular Society; wrote and published her own book advocating birth control entitled The Laws of Population.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Wbesant.htm
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Annie Kenney
Women's rights activist during the early 1900's, also active in the Labour movement.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Wkenney.htm
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Arthur Henderson
Elected as a paid organizer of the Iron Founders Union. Main person responsible for Labour and the Nation, a pamphlet that attempted to clarify the political aims of the Labour Party. MP for Widnes in the House of Commons. (1863-1935)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUhenderson.htm
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Arthur Maundy Gregory
British MI5 agent tasked with uncovering possible foreign spies during the early 1900`s. Involved in several political scandals, including one in which he was accused and convicted of trying to sell honours. Responsible for publication of the forged Zinoviev Letter which helped to discredit the Labour party days before the 1924 General Election.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/SSgregory.htm
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Basil Thomson
Was Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and five years later became head of the Special Branch. It is believed that Thomson and Arthur Maundy Gregory were involved in arranging the Zinoviev Letter to be published in British newspapers. This event helped to defeat the Labour Party in the 1924 General Election.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/SSthomson.htm
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Beatrice Webb
Writer of such books as The History of Trade Unionism and Industrial Democracy. She also helped found the London School of Economics and Political Science. Includes detailed history and accomplishments. (1858 - 1943)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUwebbB.htm
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Ben Tillett
Led a strike at Tilbury Dock; became involved in the London Dock Strike; one of England's leading socialists.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/REtillett.htm
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Bertrand Russell
Member of the Fabian Society and founding member of the Union of Democratic Control (UDC), the most important of the anti-war organizations during the First World War. Wrote Political Ideals: Roads to Freedom. (1872-1970)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUrussell.htm
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Charles Kingsley
Clergyman, novelist and poet active in the socalist movement of the late 1800's. Author of The Water Babies. Includes short biography and photo. (1810-1875)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/REkingsley.htm
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Charlotte Despard
Active in the labour, trade union, and women's suffrage movements. Helped form the Women's Freedom League (WFL) and urged members not to pay taxes and to boycott the 1911 Census. Pacifist during the war. In the 1920s became involved in the Sinn Fein campaign for a united Ireland. Includes excerpts from her speeches. (1844-1939)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Wdespard.htm
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Christabel Pankhurst
Activist in the women's suffrage movement, with early ties to the socialist and trade union movements.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/WpankhurstC.htm
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Christian Socialism
Movement which advocated socialism on religious and moral grounds.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/REsocialism.htm
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Clement Attlee
Member of the Labour Party. Served as prime minister from 1945-51. Presided over a number of social reforms, including establishment of the National Health Service and nationalization of some industries, services and the Bank of England. (1883-1967)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUattlee.htm
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Clifford Allen
Member and supporter of socialist and labour organizations, including the Fabian Society. Also noted as a pacifist who helped form the No-Conscription Fellowship (NCF), an organization that encouraged men to refuse war service. Refusing to serve in the British Armed Forces, he spent 16 months in prison. (1889-1939)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUallen.htm
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Donald Soper
Joined the Labour Party and fiercely attacked capitalism and the arms trade. Other issues that concerned him included blood sports, child labor and inadequate state help for the poor. Wrote many books on Christianity, social questions, pacifism and international issues. (1903-1998)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUsoper.htm
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Edith Nesbit
Author of 44 children's books, and regular lecturer and writer on socialism throughout the 1880s. Helped form the Fabian Society. Includes biography and a photo. (1858-1924)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUnesbit.htm
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Edward Aveling
Elected to the London School Board and promoted free, elementary schooling for the working class. Joined with Friedrich Engels to form a new Marxist working class party. (1849-1898)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUaveling.htm
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Edward Carpenter
Established himself as a poet of democracy and socialism with books like Towards Democracy, and England's Ideal. He also wrote socialist songs and hymns such as England Arise! that were used by the Labour Church movement in the 1890s. (1844-1929)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUcarpenter.htm
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Edward Pease
Appointed secretary of the Fabian Society, a Socialist debating group. Member of the Independent Labour Party. Served on the Labour Representation Committee (named the Labour Party after 1906) and held the post for the next fourteen years. (1857-1955)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUpease.htm
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Eleanor Marx
Youngest daughter of Karl Marx. Advocated "Revolutionary International Socialism" and in 1885 helped organize the International Socialist Congress in Paris. Became active in trade unions. (1855-1898)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Wmarx.htm
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Elizabeth Pease
Supported of universal suffrage and believed that most of the problems afflicting British society was due to "class legislation". Became member of the Peace Society and the Temperance Society and also took part in the anti-vivisection campaign. (1807-1897)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/REpeaseE.htm
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Ellen Wilkinson
Represented Middlesbrough East in the House of Commons. Active in women's suffrage movement and trade unions. Appointed Minister of Education, the first woman in British history to hold the post. (1891-1947)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUwilkinson.htm
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Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence
Socialist member of the Women's Social and Political Union. Was a prominent member of the Women's International League for Peace, an organization committed to world peace. (1867-1954)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Wpethick.htm
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Ernest Belfort Bax
Joined the Social Democratic Federation, then left to form the Socialist League. Wrote books in which he argued that Christian ethics was gradually being replaced by the Utilitarian idea that ethical change was produced by the needs of society rather than from a supernatural level.(1854-1918)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUbax.htm
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Ernest Bevin
Member of the Labour party, elected general secretary of the Transport and General Workers Union and a member of the General Council of the Trade Union Congress between 1925 and 1940. Opposed to the forming of the Triple Alliance with the miners and railway men. (1881-1951)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUbevin.htm
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Ernest Jones
Joined the Chartist movement and soon became a follower of Feargus O'Connor. Considered himself a socialist, and suggested that Chartism should become a "workers' party". (1819-1869)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CHjones.htm
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Ethel Annakin Snowden
Active in the Labour party during the early 1900s, helped form a branch of the Nation Union of Women's Suffrage Societies in Leeds. Was a pacifist and refused to support Britain's involvement in the First World War. Active member of the Women's Peace Crusade. (1880-1951).
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Wsnowden.htm
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Fabian Society
Socialist debating group formed in 1884. Includes brief history and commentaries.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Pfabian.htm
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Fanny Wright
Wrote book, Views of Society and Manners in America, which praised America's experiments in democracy. Advocated socialism, the abolition of slavery, universal suffrage, free secular education, birth control, changes in the marriage and divorce laws. (1795-1852)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/REwright.htm
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Fenner Brockway
Editor of the ILP newspaper, the Labour Elector. During the 1926 General Strike became editor of the Trade Union Congress newspaper, the British Worker. Wrote over twenty books on politics, including four volumes of autobiography. Includes excerpts from writings. (1888-1988)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUbrockway.htm
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Frank Podmore
Member of the Fabian Society. Wrote a two-volume book about Robert Owen in which he argued that Owen was the founding father of both socialism and spiritualism. (1856-1910)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUpodmore.htm
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Fred Jowett
Socialist who founded a branch of the Independent Labour Party in Bradford. Opposed war involvement and supported those who resisted conscription and demanded heavy taxation on wartime profits. Includes excerpts from various writings. (1864-1944)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUjowett.htm
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Frederick Denison Maurice
Wrote The Kingdom of Christ (1838) in which he argued that politics and religion are inseparable. Suggested a socialist alternative to the economic principles of laissez faire. Joined with Charles Kingsley and Thomas Hughes to form the Christian Socialist movement. (1805-1872)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/REmaurice.htm
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Friedrich Engels
Eldest son of a successful German industrialist. Collaborated with Karl Marx which resulted in the writing of the Communist Manifesto. It summarized the forthcoming revolution and the nature of the communist society that would be established by the proletariat. (1820-1895)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUengels.htm
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G. D. Cole
Long-time member of the Fabian Society. Became Labour correspondent for the Manchester Guardian and was professor of social and political theory at University College in Oxford. (1889-1959)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUcole.htm
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George Barnes
Elected as General Secretary of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers. Formed the National Committee of Organised Labour for Old Age Pensions. Became leader of the Labour Party in 1910. (1859-1940)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUbarnes.htm
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George Bernard Shaw
Author, playwright and socialist. Became an active member of the Social Democratic Federation, the Fabian Society and the Socialist League. Wrote plays dealing with issues such as poverty and women's rights and implied that socialism could help solve the problems created by capitalism. (1856-1950)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Jshaw.htm
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George Julian Harney
Publisher of newspaper, The Red Republican, in which he attempted to educate his working class readers about socialism and internationalism. He also attempted to convert the trade union movement to socialism. (1817-1897)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CHharney.htm
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George Lansbury
Labour member of Parliament. Reformer who campaigned against poverty and for woman suffrage. A lifelong pacifist, he defended conscientious objectors during World War I. (1859-1940)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/PRlansbury.htm
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George Orwell
Born in India. Wrote documentary account of unemployment in the north of England. A committed socialist, he went to Spain in 1936 to report on the Spanish Civil War. Includes short biography, excerpts from his works and photo. (1903-1950)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Jorwell.htm
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Graham Wallas
Became one of the three leaders of the Fabian Society. Elected to the London School Board in 1894 and chaired its School Management Committee. Argued for the humanizing of modern life and believed that educators should pay more attention to human beings than institutions. (1858-1932)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUwallas.htm
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H. G. Wells
Novelist and historian. Member of the Fabian Society for a short period. Argued that society had reached the stage where it needed world government and strongly supported the League of Nations that was established after the First World War. Includes excerpts from his works and photo. (1866-1946)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Jwells.htm
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H. M. Hyndman
Apostle of Karl Marx. Formed Britain's first socialist political party, the Social Democratic Federation. Favored demand for universal suffrage and the nationalization of the means of production and distribution. (1842-1921)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUhyndman.htm
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H. N. Brailsford
Journalist for the Manchester Guardian, the Morning Leader, Daily News, the Star and weekly journal, the Nation. Toured Central Europe and his graphic accounts of the suffering being endured by the people in the defeated countries appeared in his books Across the Blockade and After the Peace. (1873-1958)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Jbrailsford.htm
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Hannah Mitchell
Joined the local branch of Women's Social and Political Union and became a full-time worker. Member of the Women's Freedom League in 1907 and joined the Independent Labour Party in 1914. (1871-1956)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Wmitchell.htm
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Harold Laski
Professor of political science at the London School of Economics. Helped form the Left Book Club and became chairman of the Labour Party in 1945. (1893-1950)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUlaski.htm
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Harry Gosling
Elected to the Trade Union Congress parliamentary committee and became president of the National Transport Workers' Federation (NTWF). Instrumental in establishing the Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU). (1861-1930)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUgosling.htm
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Harry Quelch
Influenced by Karl Marx's Das Capital and converted to revolutionary socialism. Active member of the Social Democratic Federation and represented the SDF at the Trade Union Congress in the early 1890s. (1858-1913)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUquelch.htm
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Henry Havelock Ellis
Member of the Fabian Society, a Socialist debating group. Was a supporter of sexual liberation. Wrote his six-volume Studies in the Psychology of Sex. The books, published between 1897 and 1910 were controversial and banned for several years. (1859-1939)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUhavelock.htm
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Henry Hetherington
Published a series of radical newspapers and punished for his activities. Campaigned against child labor, the 1834 Poor Law and political corruption. Includes excerpts from writings about his viewpoints and activities. (1792-1849)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/IRhetherington.htm
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Henry Hyde Champion
Editor of the journal, the Christian Socialist. Member of the Social Democratic Federation. Supported the formation of the Independent Labour Party in 1894. (1859-1928)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUchampion.htm
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Henry Snell
Member of the Labour Party and represented Woolwich in London in the 1922 General Election. Converted to socialism and joined the Fabian Society. Became leader of the Labour Party in the House of Lords. (1865-1944)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUsnell.htm
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Hubert Bland
One of the founders of the Fabian Society. Rejected extremism and advocated what became known as gradualism. Joined the Independent Labour Party. Was an opponent of women's rights. (1855-1914)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUbland.htm
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Hugh Dalton
Member of the Labour Party and in the 1924 General Election was elected to represent Camberwell the House of Commons. Became Minister of the Board of Trade and Chancellor of the Exchequer. Includes excerpts from his diary entries. (1887-1962)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUdalton.htm
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Independent Labour Party
Formed in 1893, under the leadership of Keir Hardie. Features brief history and commentaries. Includes excerpts from various writers.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Pilp.htm
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Isabella Ford
Interested in women's rights. Helped form the Leeds Women's Suffrage Society and the Leeds branch of the Independent Labour Party (ILP). An important writer of books on the struggle for equality. Includes excerpts from articles dealing with the women suffragists and trade unions. (1855-1924)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Wford.htm
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James Bronterre O'Brien
Journalist and editor of the Poor Man's Guardian. Active in the Chartist movement and was arrested and charged with making a seditious speech in Manchester. Wrote for other publications, such as The Reynolds Weekly and the Glasgow Sentinel. (1805-1864)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CHobrien.htm
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James Keir Hardie
Elected to House of Commons and campaigned for the reform of Parliament. Supported the women's suffrage movement, the payment of MPs and the abolition of the House of Lords. As a pacifist tried to organize a national strike against Britain's participation in the war. (1856-1915)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/PRhardie.htm
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James Maxton
Leading figure in the Independent Labour Party in Scotland. Was elected as MP for Bridgeton, Glasgow. Involved in organizing strikes in the shipyards, engineering and munitions factories. Played a prominent role in the leadership of the trade unions during the 1926 General Strike. (1885-1946)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUmaxton.htm
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James Ramsay MacDonald
Born in Scotland, he became leader of the Labour Party in 1911. Became Britain's first Labour prime minister in 1923 for one year, when his government fell. Was a pacifist and unwilling to support Britain's involvement in the First World War. (1866-1937).
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/PRmacdonald.htm
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Jennie Lee
Elected to the House of Commons. Worked as a journalist for the Daily Mirror and married Aneurin Bevan. Favored Socialism and votes for women on the same terms as men. (1904-1988)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUlee.htm
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Jeremy Bentham
Philosopher, legal theorist and reformer, and political radical. Argued in favor of universal suffrage, annual parliaments and vote by ballot in his book, Constitutional Code. Includes excerpts. (1748-1832)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/PRbentham.htm
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Jimmy Thomas
Active member of the Associated Society of Railway Servants Union. Helped organize the railway strike of 1911. Was an important figure in the amalgamation of several unions to form the National Union of Railwaymen (NUR). (1874-1949)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUthomas.htm
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John Bruce Glasier
One of the leading Social Democratic Federation activists in Scotland. Contributor to many socialist newspapers. Considered to be one of four main leaders of the Independent Labour Party. (1859-1920)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUglasier.htm
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John Burns
Appointed as President of the Board of Trade in 1914. Opposed to Britain's involvement in a European conflict and along with John Morley and Charles Trevelyan, resigned from the government. (1858-1943)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/REburns.htm
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John Ruskin
Was one of Britain's leading writers on culture. Became interested in politics. In his books he argued against competition and self-interest and advocated a form of Christian Socialism. (1819-1900)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Jruskin.htm
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John Strachey
Became a Labour MP in the 1929 General Election. Wrote The Menace of Fascism and The Theory and Practice of Socialism. Helped form the Left Book Club, whose main aim was to spread socialist ideas and to resist the rise of Fascism in Britain. (1901-1963)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUstrachey.htm
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John Stuart Mill
Wrote a large number of books on philosophy and economics, including A System of Logic; Principles of Political Economy; On Liberty; Considerations on Representative Government; and Utilitarianism. Served in the House of Commons. (1806-1873)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/PRmill.htm
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John Wheatley
Elected to the Lanarkshire County Council and proposed a scheme for building municipal cottages in Glasgow for the working class instead of tenements. Represented the Labour Party in the House of Commons. (1869-1930)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUwheatley.htm
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Joseph Clynes
Was leader of the Labour Party in the House of Commons. Became a regular contributor to socialist newspapers. Supported Britain's war involvement and was appointed Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Food. Includes excerpts from his Memoirs. (1869-1949)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUclynes.htm
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Josiah Wedgwood
Joined the Independent Labour Party where he found considerable support for his single tax proposals. Became Chairman of the German Refugee Hospitality Committee. Was granted the title Baron Wedgwood of Barlaston and spent the last few months of his political life in the House of Lords. (1872-1943)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUwedgwood.htm
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Justice
Weekly newspaper published by the Social Democratic Federation in 1884. Continued publication until 1925.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Jjustice.htm
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Karl Marx
Born in Trier, Germany. Features a brief discussion of his life and works, including The Communist Manifesto. Includes excerpts from his writings. (1818-1883)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUmarx.htm
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Katharine Glasier
Christian Socialist who supported the campaign for complete adult suffrage. Became editor of the Labour Leader newspaper and took an anti-war stand. Includes excerpts from various writings. (1867-1950)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Wglasier.htm
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Lansbury's Labour Weekly
Left-wing newspaper first published in 1925. Rapidly reached a circulation of 172,000 and provided an important source of news during the 1926 General Strike. Ceased publication in 1927.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Jlansbury.htm
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Manchester Chronicle
Tory newspaper founded by Charles Wheeler in 1781. Achieved popularity with readers who opposed social reform. Ceased publication in 1842. Includes several excerpts from the August 21, 1819 edition.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/PRchronicle.htm
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Margaret Bondfield
Served as secretary of the Women's Labour League and was also active in the Women's Co-operative Guild, which was campaigning for minimum wage legislation, an improvement in child welfare and action to lower the infant mortality rate. Became one of the first women to enter the House of Commons. She was elected as Labour MP for Northampton. (1873-1953)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Wbondfield.htm
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Margaret McMillan
Christian Socialist who, with her sister Rachel, helped workers during the London Dock Strike. Concentrated on trying to improve the physical and intellectual welfare of children living in the slums and led campaigns for school lunch programs and clinics. Established a new college named in memory of her late sister to train nurses and teachers. (1860-1931)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Wmcmillan.htm
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Mary Gawthorpe
Helped form a Leeds branch of the Nation Union of Women's Suffrage Societies. Became a full-time organizer of the Women's Social and Political Union in Leeds. Emigrated to New York and became involved in the trade union movement and eventually became a full-time official of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers Union. (1881-1973)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Wgawthorpe.htm
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Mary Wollstonecraft
Wrote a pamphlet, A Vindication of the Rights of Man, in which she opposed the slave trade, the game laws and way that the poor were treated. In another book, Vindication of the Rights of Women, she argued for the equality of women. (1759-1797)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/PRwollstonecraft.htm
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Maud Pember Reeves
Active in a variety of women's organizations including the Women's Trade Union League, the NUWSS and the National Anti-Sweating League. A socialist and was active in the Fabian Society. (1865-1953)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/PHpember.htm
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Muriel de la Warr
Played a very important role in the feminist and socialist movement. Gave financial support to many campaigns such as the fights for women's suffrage, trade union rights and self-determination for India.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Wwarr.htm
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Philip Snowden
National chairman of the Independent Labour Party. Wrote about his views on Christian Socialism, the Temperance Movement and economics issues in The Socialist's Budget, Old Age Pensions, Socialism and the Drink Question, Socialism and Teetotalism, and the Living Wage. (1864-1937)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/REsnowden.htm
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Rachel McMillan
Christian Socialist who, with her sister Margaret, helped workers during the London Dock Strike. Concentrated on trying to improve the physical and intellectual welfare of children living in the slums and led campaigns for school lunch programs and clinics. (1859-1917)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/WmcmillanR.htm
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Richard Carlile
Publisher of a radical newspaper, The Republican. Served prison term for violation of seditious libel laws. Strong supporter of women's rights and campaigned against child labor. Includes excerpts from his writings. (1790-1843)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/PRcarlile.htm
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Richard Pankhurst
Joined the Liberal Party and was active in the campaign for social reform. Joined the Fabian Society and played a leading role in the protest against police behavior during the events of Bloody Sunday in 1887. (1834-1898)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUpankhurst.htm
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Richard Stafford Cripps
A Christian Socialist and member of the Labour Party, who was elected to the House of Commons. Converted to Marxism and became one of the most prominent left-wing figures in Britain. Elected President of the Fabian Society. (1889-1952)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUcripps.htm
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Robert Cunninghame Graham
Elected to the House of Commons and was concerned about the plight of the unemployed and the preservation of civil liberties. Supported the eight-hour work day. Elected President of the National Party of Scotland. (1852-1936)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUcunninghame.htm
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Robert Blatchford
Founded the Manchester Fabian Society and published a socialist newspaper, The Clarion. Changed his views on equal rights and strongly opposed the policies of the NUWSS and the WSPU. (1851-1943)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Jblatchford.htm
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Robert Owen
Established four textile factories in New Lanark and was a strong advocate of factory reform. Formed a new community in New Harmony, Indiana based on his socialist ideas. Expressed his views in his journals, The Crisis and The New Moral World. Includes excerpts from various writings. (1771-1858)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/IRowen.htm
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Robert Smillie
Was president of the Scottish Miners' Federation and president of the Miners' Federation of Great Britain. Advocated the nationalization of mines. Served as a Labour member of Parliament from 1923 to 1929. (1857-1940)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUsmillie.htm
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Selina Cooper
Joined a branch of the Cotton Worker's Union and became involved in a trade union dispute. Supporter of women's suffrage and developed a national reputation for her passionate speeches in favor of women's rights. Elected to Independent Labour Party. Includes excerpts from various writings. (1864-1946)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Wcooper.htm
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Sidney Reilly
Known as Georgi Rosenblum and was born in Russia in 1874. Spied on Germany and was considered to be Britain's most important secret agent before World War I. Involved in forging the Zinoviev letter, which contributed to the defeat of the Labour Party in the 1924 General Election. (1874-1925)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/SSreilly.htm
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Sidney Webb
Member of the Fabian Society. Sought an end to the laissez-faire and urged the government to play a more active role in regulating the economy. Influenced the development of the Welfare State. Drafted the 1902 Education Act and was a strong critic of the Poor Law system. (1859-1947)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUwebbS.htm
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Social Democratic Federation
First Marxist political group in Britain. Includes brief history and commentaries.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Psocial.htm
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Socialist League
Formed when a few members of the Social Democratic Federation decided to leave the SDF. Published a manifesto that advocated revolutionary international socialism. The group also produced its own journal, Commonweal. Organization disbanded in 1901.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUleague.htm
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Stewart Headlam
Ordained and appointed curate of St. John's Church in Drury Lane. Argued for a tax on land and the redistribution of wealth as a means of ending poverty. He also denounced wealth as robbery and inconsistent with Christianity. Became a leader in the Fabian Society.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/REheadlam.htm
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Sydney Olivier
Secretary of the Fabian Society. Contributed articles to its journal, Today. (1859-1943)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUoliver.htm
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Sylvia Pankhurst
Wrote The History of the Women's Suffrage Movement. A pacifist, she joined with Charlotte Despard to form the Women's Peace Army. Supporter of the Russian Revolution in 1917. In the 1930s supported the Republicans in Spain, helped Jewish refugees from Nazi Germany and led the campaign against the Italian occupation of Ethiopia. (1882-1960)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/WpankhurstS.htm
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Teresa Billington
Member of the Independent Labour Party in Manchester and became involved in trade issues. Founded the Women's Freedom League in 1907. Campaigned to increase the number of women in the House of Commons. (1877-1964)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Wbillington.htm
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The Bee-Hive
A trade union weekly newspaper established in 1861, biased heavily towards socialist and labour issues.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Jbeehive.htm
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The Black Dwarf
A radical unstamped journal, which was critical of Lord Liverpool and his government. Regularly called for parlementary reform.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/PRblack.htm
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The Clarion
A socialist weekly established by Robert Blatchford in 1890.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Jclarion.htm
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The Commonweal
Socialist journal of the late 1800`s.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Jcommonweal.htm
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The Labour Elector
Founded by Henry Hyde Champion, Tom Mann and John Burns in 1888. Paper campaigned for the eight-hour day, denounced bad employers and criticized trade union Liberal MPs in the House of Commons.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Jlabour.htm
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The Labour Party
Features brief history, total votes and percentages in general elections covering the years from 1900-1987. Includes posters and short commentaries.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Plabour.htm
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The New Statesman
Journal of the Fabian Society and first published in 1912. Became Britain's leading intellectual weekly under editorship of Kingsley Martin.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Jstatesman.htm
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The Northern Star
First edition published by Feargus O'Connor in 1837. Contained reports on Chartist meets all over Britain and its letter's page enabled supporters to join the debate on parliamentary reform. Ceased publication in December, 1852.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CHnorthern.htm
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The Poor Man's Guardian
Published by Henry Hetherington in 1831 and closely associated with the National Union of the Working Classes. Argued that the real struggle was for universal suffrage. Ceased publication in 1835.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/PRpoor.htm
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The Red Republican
Newspaper established by George Julian Harney. Attempted to educate working class readers about socialism and internationalism. Ceased publication in December, 1850.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CHrepublican.htm
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The Republican
Radical journal first published as Sherwin's Political Register in 1817 by Richard Carlile, a journalist. After full report of the Peterloo Massacre, Carlile changed the journal's name. He was guilty of blasphemy and seditious libel. Sentenced to three years in prison, he continued to write and edit from his prison cell.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/PRrepublican.htm
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The Zinoviev Letter
Document written by a prominent member of the Communist Party in Russia. Urged British communists to promote revolution through acts of sedition. Published in newspapers four days before the 1924 General Election and contributed to the defeat of MacDonald and the Labour Party.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUzinoviev.htm
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Thomas Hughes
Novelist, reformist and jurist. Helped form the Christian Socialist movement. Author of Tom Brown's Schooldays. Includes short biography and photo. (1822-1896)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/REhughes.htm
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Thomas Muir
Was a lawyer and critic of a legal system that he believed was biased in favor of the rich. Advocated parliamentary reform. (1765-1799)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/PRmuir.htm
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Thomas Spence
Radical journalist and advocate for women's rights. Campaigned for changes in the law to make it possible for working people to be able to obtain a divorce. Includes excerpts from his writings. (1750-1814)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/PRspence.htm
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Tom Mann
Joined the Amalgamated Society of Engineers and soon afterwards participated in his first strike. He also became a member of the Fabian Society and the Battersea branch of the Social Democratic Federation. Leading trade unionist and advocated the eight-hour day. (1856-1941)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/REmann.htm
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Tom Paine
Journalist and author of Common Sense, a pamphlet that attacked the British Monarchy and argued for American independence. Wrote The Rights of Man, in which he attacked hereditary government and argued for equal political rights. The book also recommended progressive taxation, family allowances, old age pensions, maternity grants and the abolition of the House of Lords. (1737-1809)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/PRpaine.htm
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Tribune
Left-wing weekly newspaper first published in 1936. Mission was to recreate the Labour Party as a truly socialist organization.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Jtribune.htm
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Victor Gollancz
Was strong supporter of the Labour Party. Helped form the Left Book Club, whose main aim was to spread socialist ideas and to resist the rise of Fascism in Britain. In the 1950s he played an active role in the formation of the National Campaign for the Abolition of Capital Punishment. (1893-1967)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Jgollancz.htm
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Victor Grayson
Member of the House of Commons and powerful orator who toured the country making speeches in favor of revolutionary socialism. Gave recruiting speeches and wrote articles urging young men to join the armed forces during World War I.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUgrayson.htm
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Walter Crane
Supported the Liberal Party. Developed socialistic views and spoke out in favor of the Communards who attempted to overthrow the French government in 1871. Acquired reputation as an illustrator, whose work appeared on posters, pamphlets, membership cards and trade union banners, and books and journals that advocated socialism. (1845-1915)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Jcrane.htm
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Will Crooks
Was chairman of the Public Control Committee and promoted fair wages. Became the first working-class member of the Poplar Board of Guardians. Helped establish the National Committee on Old Age Pensions. (1852-1921)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUcrooks.htm
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Will Thorne
Helped to establish the National Union of Gasworkers and General Labourers. Led successful negotiations for an eight-hour day. Represented West Ham in the House of Commons in the 1906 General Election. (1857-1946)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUthorne.htm
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William Clarke
Joined the Fabian Society and contributed the article, the Industrial Basis of Socialism, to the book Essays in Fabian Socialism, edited by George Bernard Shaw. Wrote articles for the Spectator and the Economist.(1852-1901)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUclarke.htm
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William Hazlitt
Essayist and critic. Attacked William Pitt and his government's foreign policy. Wrote articles and pamphlets on political corruption and the need to reform the voting system. Includes photo and excerpts of his political writing. (1778-1830)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/PRhazlitt.htm
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William Hewins
Was first director of the London School of Economics and held the post until 1903 when he resigned to work for Joseph Chamberlain and his tariff reform campaign. Elected as the MP for Hereford and in 1917 appointed as Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies. (1865-1931)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUlewins.htm
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William Morris
Joined the Social Democratic Federation and began contributing articles to its journal, Justice. Helped form the Socialist League and was the main contributor to the party's journal, Commonweal. Includes excerpts from his writings. (1834-1896)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Jmorris.htm
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William Wedgwood Benn
Elected to represent Liberal party in the House of Commons in 1906 and was a strong supporter of the trade union movement. Helped to raise funds for strikers and their families, during the London Dock Strike in 1912. (1877-1960)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUbenn.htm
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