Arthur Eades (17 December 1863 – 3 November 1933) was a

British British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories, and Crown Dependencies. ** Britishness, the British identity and common culture * British English, ...

trade unionist. Born in

Enfield Enfield may refer to: Places Australia * Enfield, New South Wales * Enfield, South Australia ** Electoral district of Enfield, a state electoral district in South Australia, corresponding to the suburb ** Enfield High School (South Australia) ...

, Eades' father died when he was a young child, following which the family moved to

Birmingham Birmingham ( ) is a city and metropolitan borough in the metropolitan county of West Midlands in England. It is the second-largest city in the United Kingdom with a population of 1.145 million in the city proper, 2.92 million in the West ...

. He began working as a half-timer at the age of eight, then later completed an apprenticeship as a cabinet maker. He was also known as a marksman and won numerous prizes for his rifle shooting.David E. Martin, "Eades, Arthur", ''Dictionary of Labour Biography'', vol.II, pp.131–132 In 1888, Eades joined the Alliance Cabinet Makers' Society, and became president of his branch soon after. He was a leading figure in advocating for higher wages, and also represented his union at the

Birmingham Trades Council Birmingham Trades Council is the trades council body which brings together trade unionists from across Birmingham, England. Its headquarters were formerly in Digbeth, with a huge mural above the canteen area depicting the 1972 Battle of Saltley Gat ...

, becoming vice-president in 1893, and then president in 1895. In 1896, he became secretary of his union branch, and in 1898 also secretary of the trades council. In this role he led the organising committee which established the National Committee of Organised Labour for Promoting Old Age Pensions for All. In 1893, Eades stood unsuccessfully for

Birmingham City Council Birmingham City Council is the local government body responsible for the governance of the City of Birmingham in England, which has been a metropolitan district since 1974. It is the most populated local council area in the United Kingdom (e ...

as an independent labour candidate. He was also unsuccessful as a Trades Council candidate for the Birmingham

School Board A board of education, school committee or school board is the board of directors or board of trustees of a school, local school district or an equivalent institution. The elected council determines the educational policy in a small regional are ...

in 1896, but won election as an independent in 1897, and served on it for many years. He raised funds for scholarships to the

University of Birmingham , mottoeng = Through efforts to heights , established = 1825 – Birmingham School of Medicine and Surgery1836 – Birmingham Royal School of Medicine and Surgery1843 – Queen's College1875 – Mason Science College1898 – Mason Univers ...

, and became the only working class member of its Board of Governors. Although Eades was willing to work with the Labour Representation Committee founded in 1900, he was unenthusiastic about it. From 1902, he focused his time on the Birmingham Co-operative Society, retiring from the secretaryship of the trades council in 1903. In 1904, he ran his final unsuccessful campaign for a seat on the city council, as a conventional

Liberal Party The Liberal Party is any of many political parties around the world. The meaning of ''liberal'' varies around the world, ranging from liberal conservatism on the right to social liberalism on the left. __TOC__ Active liberal parties This is a li ...

candidate, opposed by the trades council, although he remained a delegate to it for many years.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Eades, Arthur 1863 births 1933 deaths English trade unionists People from Enfield, London Liberal Party (UK) politicians People associated with the University of Birmingham