William Abraham (trade unionist)

The Right Honourable William Abraham
Member of Parliament for Rhondda West Rhondda (1885–1918)
In office 1885–1920
Preceded by	Constituency established
Succeeded by	William John
Personal details
Born	14 June 1842 Cwmafan, Glamorgan, Wales
Died	14 May 1922(1922-05-14) (aged 79) Pentre, Glamorgan, Wales
Political party	Labour Party (1910–1922) Liberal–Labour (1885–1910)

William Abraham (14 June 1842 – 14 May 1922), universally known by his bardic name, Mabon, was a Welsh trade unionist and Liberal/Labour politician, and a member of parliament (MP) from 1885 to 1920. Although an MP for 35 years, it was as a trade unionist that Abraham is most well known. Initially a pioneer of trade unionism, who fought to enshrine the principle of workers' representation against the opposition of the coal-owners, he was regarded in later life as a moderate voice believing that disputes should be solved through conciliation rather than industrial action. This drew him into conflict with younger and more militant leaders from the 1890s onwards. Although the defeat of the miners in the Welsh coal strike of 1898 was a clear defeat for Mabon's strategy, his prestige was sufficient to ensure that he became the first president of the South Wales Miners' Federation which was established in the wake of the dispute. Abraham was noted for his powerful speaking voice, and was a renowned orator in English and Welsh.