Jim Connell

Irishman Jim Connell (27 March, 1852 - February 1929) was a political activist of the late 19th century and early 20th century, best known as the writer of the anthem The Red Flag in December 1889.

Related Topics:
27 March - 1852 - 1929 - 19th century - 20th century - The Red Flag - 1889

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Connell was born in Kilskyre, near Kells, County Meath and as a teenager became involved in land agitation and joined the Irish Republican Brotherhood. Aged 18 and a signatory to the Fenian Oath, he moved to Dublin where he worked as a docker until he became blacklisted for attempting to unionise the workers. In 1875 he came to live and work in London. He held a variety of jobs, including time as a staff journalist on Kier Hardie's newspaper The Labour Leader, and was secretary of the Workingmen's Legal Aid Society during the last 20 years of his life.

Related Topics:
Kilskyre - Kells - County Meath - Irish Republican Brotherhood - Fenian - Dublin - Docker - 1875 - London - Kier Hardie

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For 10 years he was a member of the Social Democratic Federation led by Henry Hyndman, which supported the cause of Irish land reform and self-determination; both Connell and Hyndman were on the executive of the National Land League of Great Britain, which aimed to promote the need for land reform in Ireland amongst the workers in England. In the late 1890s, however, Connell left the SDF and joined the Independent Labour Party.

Related Topics:
Social Democratic Federation - Henry Hyndman - Ireland - England - Independent Labour Party

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