Robinson Graham

Robinson Graham
Member of Parliament
for Nelson and Colne
In office
June 1920 – October 1922
Preceded byAlbert Smith
Succeeded byArthur Greenwood
Personal details
Born1878
Burnley, Lancashire
Died13 May 1953(1953-05-13) (aged 74–75)
Burnley, Lancashire
Political partyLabour

Robinson Graham (1878 – 13 May 1953) was a British trade unionist and politician.

Born in Burnley, Graham became a weaver and was active in the Burnley Weavers' Association, becoming its assistant secretary in 1911 and serving for many years.[1] He was also active in Labour Party, for whom he stood in the 1920 Nelson and Colne by-election.[2] He won the seat,[3] but fell out with the United Textile Factory Workers' Association, which was sponsoring his candidacy, and the Labour Party leadership, and was pressured into standing down at the 1922 general election.[2][4] He was only one of two Labour MPs to not seek re-election.[5] He concentrated on his trade union office; in 1941, he became secretary of the Burnley Weavers, serving until 1947.[3]

Towards the end of his life, Graham developed loss of sight and became depressed after his wife died.[6] He died on 13 May 1953[7] from inhalation of coal gas.[6]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ The Liberal Year Book (1919), p.65
  2. ^ a b "Mr. Robinson Graham, M.P., and his party". Manchester Guardian. 5 December 1921. p. 12.
  3. ^ a b Michael Stenton and Stephen Lees, Who's Who of British Members of Parliament, vol.3, p.133
  4. ^ Labour History Review, vol.64, no.1, p.16
  5. ^ "Political items". The Sunday People. 29 October 1922. p. 20.
  6. ^ a b "Former M.P., blind, gassed himself". Manchester Evening News. 15 May 1953. p. 9.
  7. ^ Barnoldswick & Earby Times, Friday 16 October 1953
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Nelson and Colne
19201922
Succeeded by
Trade union offices
Preceded by Secretary of the Burnley Weavers' Association
1940 – 1947
Succeeded by
Harold Dickinson