Thomas Joseph Campbell
Encyclopedia
Thomas Joseph Campbell known as T. J. Campbell, was an Irish nationalist newspaper editor, politician
and judge
.
Brought up as a Roman Catholic in Belfast
, Campbell studied at St Malachy's College and the Royal University of Ireland
. In 1895, he began editing the Irish News, a local nationalist newspaper. In 1899, he was the Chairman of the Ulster District Institute of Journalists. In 1900, he became a barrister
, and in 1904, he was also called to the English bar. In 1918, he became a King's Counsel.
A close friend of Joseph Devlin
, Campbell stood for the Irish Parliamentary Party
in South Monaghan
at the 1918 UK general election but failed to take the seat. He became the first Treasurer of the Bar of Northern Ireland and first Secretary of the Circuit of Northern Ireland. In 1929, he was appointed to the Senate of Northern Ireland
.
At the 1931 UK general election, Campbell stood unsuccessfully for the Nationalist Party
in Belfast West
. In 1934, he was elected to the Parliament of Northern Ireland
in a by-election for Belfast Central
, resigning his seat in the Senate. From 1937, he and Richard Byrne were the only Nationalist Party members to regularly attend the Parliament, and after Byrne's death in 1942, he was a lone voice against abstentionism
in the party.
In November 1945, Campbell was a founder member of the Anti-Partition League of Ireland, but he resigned his seat shortly afterwards in order to take up a post as a County Court
judge. He died the following year.
His grandson, Tom Campbell, contested three elections for the Alliance Party
in North Belfast, and is currently (2007) an Alliance councillor in Newtownabbey
.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
.
Brought up as a Roman Catholic in Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, Campbell studied at St Malachy's College and the Royal University of Ireland
Royal University of Ireland
The Royal University of Ireland was founded in accordance with the University Education Act 1879 as an examining and degree-awarding university based on the model of the University of London. A Royal Charter was issued on April 27, 1880 and examinations were opened to candidates irrespective of...
. In 1895, he began editing the Irish News, a local nationalist newspaper. In 1899, he was the Chairman of the Ulster District Institute of Journalists. In 1900, he became a barrister
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
, and in 1904, he was also called to the English bar. In 1918, he became a King's Counsel.
A close friend of Joseph Devlin
Joseph Devlin
Joseph Devlin, also known as Joe Devlin, was an Irish journalist and influential nationalist politician...
, Campbell stood for the Irish Parliamentary Party
Irish Parliamentary Party
The Irish Parliamentary Party was formed in 1882 by Charles Stewart Parnell, the leader of the Nationalist Party, replacing the Home Rule League, as official parliamentary party for Irish nationalist Members of Parliament elected to the House of Commons at...
in South Monaghan
South Monaghan (UK Parliament constituency)
South Monaghan was a parliamentary constituency in Ireland, returning one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, from 1885 to 1922....
at the 1918 UK general election but failed to take the seat. He became the first Treasurer of the Bar of Northern Ireland and first Secretary of the Circuit of Northern Ireland. In 1929, he was appointed to the Senate of Northern Ireland
Senate of Northern Ireland
The Senate of Northern Ireland was the upper house of the Parliament of Northern Ireland created by the Government of Ireland Act 1920. It was abolished with the passing of the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973.-Powers:...
.
At the 1931 UK general election, Campbell stood unsuccessfully for the Nationalist Party
Nationalist Party (Northern Ireland)
The Nationalist Party† - was the continuation of the Irish Parliamentary Party, and was formed after partition, by the Northern Ireland-based members of the IPP....
in Belfast West
Belfast West (UK Parliament constituency)
Belfast West is a parliamentary constituency in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom.-Boundaries:The seat was restored in 1922 when as part of the establishment of the devolved Stormont Parliament for Northern Ireland, the number of MPs in the Westminster Parliament was drastically cut...
. In 1934, he was elected to the Parliament of Northern Ireland
Parliament of Northern Ireland
The Parliament of Northern Ireland was the home rule legislature of Northern Ireland, created under the Government of Ireland Act 1920, which sat from 7 June 1921 to 30 March 1972, when it was suspended...
in a by-election for Belfast Central
Belfast Central (Northern Ireland Parliament constituency)
Belfast Central was a constituency of the Parliament of Northern Ireland.-Boundaries:Belfast Central was a borough constituency comprising part of central Belfast...
, resigning his seat in the Senate. From 1937, he and Richard Byrne were the only Nationalist Party members to regularly attend the Parliament, and after Byrne's death in 1942, he was a lone voice against abstentionism
Abstentionism
Abstentionism is standing for election to a deliberative assembly while refusing to take up any seats won or otherwise participate in the assembly's business. Abstentionism differs from an election boycott in that abstentionists participate in the election itself...
in the party.
In November 1945, Campbell was a founder member of the Anti-Partition League of Ireland, but he resigned his seat shortly afterwards in order to take up a post as a County Court
County Court
A county court is a court based in or with a jurisdiction covering one or more counties, which are administrative divisions within a country, not to be confused with the medieval system of county courts held by the High Sheriff of each county.-England and Wales:County Court matters can be lodged...
judge. He died the following year.
His grandson, Tom Campbell, contested three elections for the Alliance Party
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....
in North Belfast, and is currently (2007) an Alliance councillor in Newtownabbey
Newtownabbey Borough Council
Newtownabbey Borough Council is a Local Council in County Antrim in Northern Ireland. Newtownabbey has a population of over 80,000 and is on the north shore of Belfast Lough just immediately north of Belfast. The Borough was founded in 1958 as a result of an Act of Parliament passed in 1957 and...
.