William James Abraham

For the Northern Irish theologian, philosopher, and Methodist pastor, see William J. Abraham.

William James Abraham (1883 – September 1927) was a British trade unionist and politician who served as president of the National Union of Railwaymen (NUR).

Born in Colmworth in Bedfordshire, Abraham became a railway signalman, based in Sheffield, and joined the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants (ASRS). This became part of the NUR, and Abraham served as secretary of its Sheffield No.2 Branch for many years.[1][2] This was an important branch, and by 1915 he was regarded as the most significant figure on the left wing of the union, leading arguments at its annual conference until the end of the decade.[3] He also served as the president of the Sheffield Trades and Labour Council.[1]

Abraham became politically active in Sheffield, joining the Labour Party, and was elected to Sheffield City Council in 1919. The following year, he was elected as national president of the NUR, then one of the largest unions in the country. At the 1922 United Kingdom general election, he stood in Bolton, sponsored by the NUR, taking only fourth place, with 15.8% of the vote.[1][2][4]

Shortly after the election, Abraham's health worsened, and he retired from his political and trade union activity to his family's dairy farm in Colmworth. He died there in September 1927.[1][2]

  1. ^ a b c d The Labour Who's Who. London: Labour Publishing Company. 1924. p. 1.
  2. ^ a b c "Obituary: Mr W. J. Abraham". Annual Report of the Trades Union Congress: 292–293. 1928.
  3. ^ Clegg, Hugh Armstrong (1987). A History of British Trade Unions Since 1889: 1911–1933. Oxford University Press. p. 280. ISBN 0198283075.
  4. ^ Craig, F. W. S. (1977). British Parliamentary Election Results 1918–49. London: Macmillan Press. p. 96. ISBN 9780333230480.