Bob Cooper (politician)
Encyclopedia
Sir Robert George Cooper CBE
, known as Bob Cooper (1936 - 15 November 2004) was a politician
and equal opportunities activist in Northern Ireland
.
Born in County Donegal
, Cooper attended Foyle College and then studied law at Queens University Belfast, where he was the Chair of the Young Unionists
. Despite his Protestant Unionist background, Cooper married a Roman Catholic.
In 1970, Cooper became a founder member of the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland
, and at the Northern Ireland Assembly election, 1973
, he was elected for West Belfast. Soon after, he became deputy leader of the party, and in 1975 he was elected to the Northern Ireland Constitutional Convention
.
In 1976, Cooper left politics to take up an appointment as head of the Fair Employment Agency. In 1990, this became the Fair Employment Commission, and he continued in the post until 1999. He then headed the Integrated Education Fund until shortly before his death.
Cooper was knighted in 1998.
CBE
CBE and C.B.E. are abbreviations for "Commander of the Order of the British Empire", a grade in the Order of the British Empire.Other uses include:* Chemical and Biochemical Engineering...
, known as Bob Cooper (1936 - 15 November 2004) was a politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and equal opportunities activist in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
.
Born in County Donegal
County Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Cooper attended Foyle College and then studied law at Queens University Belfast, where he was the Chair of the Young Unionists
Ulster Unionist Party
The Ulster Unionist Party – sometimes referred to as the Official Unionist Party or, in a historic sense, simply the Unionist Party – is the more moderate of the two main unionist political parties in Northern Ireland...
. Despite his Protestant Unionist background, Cooper married a Roman Catholic.
In 1970, Cooper became a founder member of the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland
Alliance Party of Northern Ireland
The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland is a liberal and nonsectarian political party in Northern Ireland. It is Northern Ireland's fifth-largest party overall, with eight seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly and one in the House of Commons....
, and at the Northern Ireland Assembly election, 1973
Northern Ireland Assembly election, 1973
-Seats summary:-Source:* http://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/fa73.htm...
, he was elected for West Belfast. Soon after, he became deputy leader of the party, and in 1975 he was elected to the Northern Ireland Constitutional Convention
Northern Ireland Constitutional Convention
The Northern Ireland Constitutional Convention was an elected body set up in 1975 by the UK Labour government of Harold Wilson as an attempt to deal with constitutional issues surrounding the status of Northern Ireland....
.
In 1976, Cooper left politics to take up an appointment as head of the Fair Employment Agency. In 1990, this became the Fair Employment Commission, and he continued in the post until 1999. He then headed the Integrated Education Fund until shortly before his death.
Cooper was knighted in 1998.