John Burns | |
|---|---|
 Burns, circa 1911 | |
| President of the Local Government Board | |
| In office 10 December 1905 – 11 February 1914 | |
| Monarchs | Edward VII George V |
| Prime Minister | Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman H. H. Asquith |
| Preceded by | Gerald Balfour |
| Succeeded by | Herbert Samuel |
| President of the Board of Trade | |
| In office 11 February 1914 – 5 August 1914 | |
| Monarch | George V |
| Prime Minister | H. H. Asquith |
| Preceded by | Sydney Buxton |
| Succeeded by | Walter Runciman |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 20 October 1858 Vauxhall, London, England |
| Died | 24 January 1943 (aged 84) |
| Citizenship | United Kingdom |
John Elliot Burns (20 October 1858 – 24 January 1943) was an English trade unionist and politician, particularly associated with London politics and Battersea. He was a socialist and then a Liberal Member of Parliament and Minister. He was anti-alcohol and a keen sportsman. When the Liberal cabinet made a decision for war on 2 August 1914, he resigned and played no further role in politics. After retiring from politics, he developed an expertise in London history and coined the phrase "The Thames is liquid history".