Tom Williamson (1897 - 1983)

Tom Williamson (1897 – 1983) was a trade unionist and Labour Party politician. He was born in St. Helens, Lancashire. His father was a glassblower, and Tom began his career working in the office of his father's union, the National Amalgamated Union of Labour. He became a full-time union delegate, and in 1924, when it became part of the National Union of General and Municipal Workers, he was appointed as a district secretary. He became interested in politics at age 9, when his father took him to see Tom Mann speak. During the First World War, he served with the Royal Engineers. His first foray into politics was serving on the Liverpool City Council from 1929–35. At the 1945 general election, he was elected as Member of Parliament for the Brigg constituency in Lincolnshire. He resigned his seat in 1948, and the resulting by-election was won by Labour's Lance Mallalieu] In 1937, he became the industrial officer of NUGMW, and served as its General Secretary from 1946–61. He was also President of the Trades Union Congress from 1957 to 1958. He was a founding member of the British Productivity Council. Williamson was appointed a CBE in 1950 and was knighted in 1956. Williamson was created a life peer on 15 May 1962, with the title Baron Williamson, of Eccleston in the Borough of St. Helens in the County Palatine of Lancaster.

Size 14cm x 21cm

Medium Brush and ink on paper

Publication The Guardian

Published 1954