Edward L. Poulton
Encyclopedia
Edward L. Poulton was a British
trade unionist.
Poulton was born in Northampton
and worked making boots and shoes from an early age. He joined the National Union of Boot and Shoe Operatives
(NUBSO) in 1887, and was appointed secretary of its Northampton branch four years later. He founded the Trade Union Club in the town in 1890, and was president of its trades council in 1892, using the opportunity to help found the Midland Federation of Trades Councils. He also became a Liberal-Labour
politician, and was elected to Northampton's school board in 1895, then as an alderman
on the council in 1898. In 1906, he became the first worker to serve as the Mayor of Northampton.
In 1908, Poulton was elected General Secretary of NUBSO, serving until 1930. He was awarded the OBE in 1917, and served on the Parliamentary Committee of the Trades Union Congress
(TUC) from 1916, acting as its President
in 1921. He was also active in the International Labour Office, serving as workers' vice-chairman from 1928 until 1931.
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
trade unionist.
Poulton was born in Northampton
Northampton
Northampton is a large market town and local government district in the East Midlands region of England. Situated about north-west of London and around south-east of Birmingham, Northampton lies on the River Nene and is the county town of Northamptonshire. The demonym of Northampton is...
and worked making boots and shoes from an early age. He joined the National Union of Boot and Shoe Operatives
National Union of Boot and Shoe Operatives
The National Union of Boot and Shoe Operatives was a trade union in the United Kingdom.The union was founded in 1873, when many riveters and finishers left the Amalgamated Association of Boot and Shoemakers . They were dissatisfied by their low status within the old union, and instead formed the...
(NUBSO) in 1887, and was appointed secretary of its Northampton branch four years later. He founded the Trade Union Club in the town in 1890, and was president of its trades council in 1892, using the opportunity to help found the Midland Federation of Trades Councils. He also became a Liberal-Labour
Liberal-Labour (UK)
The Liberal–Labour movement refers to the practice of local Liberal associations accepting and supporting candidates who were financially maintained by trade unions...
politician, and was elected to Northampton's school board in 1895, then as an alderman
Alderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
on the council in 1898. In 1906, he became the first worker to serve as the Mayor of Northampton.
In 1908, Poulton was elected General Secretary of NUBSO, serving until 1930. He was awarded the OBE in 1917, and served on the Parliamentary Committee of the Trades Union Congress
Trades Union Congress
The Trades Union Congress is a national trade union centre, a federation of trade unions in the United Kingdom, representing the majority of trade unions...
(TUC) from 1916, acting as its President
President of the Trades Union Congress
The President of the Trades Union Congress is a prominent but largely honorary position in British trade unionism.The President is elected at the annual conference of the Trades Union Congress . They officially fill the office for the remainder of the year and then preside over the following...
in 1921. He was also active in the International Labour Office, serving as workers' vice-chairman from 1928 until 1931.