David Kirkwood

David Kirkwood, 1st Baron Kirkwood, PC (1872 - April 16, 1955) was a socialist from the East End of Glasgow, Scotland, viewed as a leading figure of the Red Clydeside era.

Related Topics:
1872 - April 16 - 1955 - Socialist - Glasgow - Scotland - Red Clydeside

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Kirkwood was educated at Parkhead Public School and was trained as an engineer.

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Kirkwood's earliest political involvement was through his trade union and the Independent Labour Party (ILP). He was recognised as the Scottish engineers' leader for many years.

Related Topics:
Trade union - Independent Labour Party

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He served on the Glasgow Trade Council and was treasurer of the Clyde Workers' Committee (CWC), an organisation chaired by William Gallacher which had been formed to organise workers against the United Kingdom's involvement in the First World War. Kirkwood was arrested and jailed for his anti-war activities which helped to greatly increase his profile. In the 1922 General Election Kirkwood was elected to the House of Commons to represent Dumbarton, later Dunbartonshire, East. He had previously served for four years on Glasgow Town Council.

Related Topics:
Clyde Workers' Committee - William Gallacher - United Kingdom - First World War - 1922 General Election - House of Commons - Dumbarton - Dunbartonshire

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Kirkwood was one of the leading figures of the ILP in Parliament as it came into increasing conflict with the Labour Party. In the 1931 General Election he was returned as one of five ILP MPs without Labour Party support. However, when the ILP, with the support of James Maxton, decided to disaffiliate from the Labour Party in 1932 this was a step too far for Kirkwood, and he left the ILP and again took the Labour Party whip in 1932. Kirkwood published his autobiography, My Life of Revolt in 1935.

Related Topics:
James Maxton - Labour Party - 1932 - 1935

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Kirkwood became a Privy Counsellor in 1948 and was created Baron Kirkwood in 1951 when he left the Commons. He died on April 16 1955.

Related Topics:
Privy Counsellor - 1951 - April 16 - 1955

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