Edward Kell (c.1831 – 1908) was a

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trade unionist A trade union (labor union in American English), often simply referred to as a union, is an organization of workers intent on "maintaining or improving the conditions of their employment", ch. I such as attaining better wages and Employee ben ...

and politician. Kell worked in

Leicester Leicester ( ) is a city status in the United Kingdom, city, Unitary authorities of England, unitary authority and the county town of Leicestershire in the East Midlands of England. It is the largest settlement in the East Midlands. The city l ...

as a shoe rivetter, and was an early member of the National Union of Boot and Shoe Rivetters and Finishers. In 1878, he was elected as the union's first president, working on a part-time basis. Kell was also interested in politics, seeing himself as part of the

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tradition in the

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. He was elected to the Leicester

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, working with George Sedgwick to campaign against children being forced to work at home. He was later also elected to Leicester Town Council. By the late 1880s, Kell was unhappy with the rise of socialism in the union. He gave a speech early in 1890, denouncing militancy among its members. Later in the year, the union refused to increase his salary, so he resigned and began running a business.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kell, Edward 1831 births 1908 deaths Councillors in Leicestershire General Presidents of the National Union of Boot and Shoe Operatives Liberal-Labour (UK) politicians Activists from Leicester Politicians from Leicester