John Burns Collection

John Elliott Burns (1858-1943): a biographical summary

John Burns had a unique career for someone born into a working class family in London in 1858, becoming a trade unionist, socialist, labour leader, London County Councillor, MP and Liberal minister. He was also a book collector who created a considerable personal library, part of which has come to Senate House Library.

John Burns' early life in London and later work in Africa drew him to Labour activism, socialism and politics. He became an apprentice engineer and joined the Amalgamated Society of Engineers after completing his apprenticeship in 1879. He then went on to work in West Africa, 1879-81, and his observations and experience there confirmed his socialism as he became aware of the problems encountered by African and Chinese labourers.

1880s: Socialism and the LCC

On his return to England John Burns became active in the socialist and trade union movements, and gained renown as an orator. He became a member of the Social Democratic Federation (SDF), but by the late 1880's decided that the best way to achieve improvements in the lot of working people was to work with a wide range of radical forces, including left wing Liberals, to press for practical changes in legislation. As a result Burns became estranged from the SDF, which he regarded as too narrowly focused, and never went on to join the Independent Labour Party (ILP). However, he retained the loyalty of the Battersea branch of the SDF (which he had founded), who helped him win a seat on the London County Council (LCC) in 1889. He took his place among the Progressives on the LCC, and became a very active councillor until around 1894, although he retained his seat until 1907. While on the LCC he took a particular interest in the pay and conditions of workers in the employment of contractors to the Council (insisting on union rates), and helped to found the LCC's works department employing direct labour.

1889-1905: Dock Strike and Parliament

In 1889 John Burns also took an important role in the Dock Strike, leading marchers and giving speeches. On the success of the strike, he coined his famous phrase by claiming that the "full round orb of the Dockers' tanner" had been achieved. Burns' reputation as a major leader in the trade union and socialist movements was very high at this point, and in 1890 he was elected to the Parliamentary Committee of the Trades Union Council (TUC), and became a Parliamentary candidate supported by the Battersea Labour League and the Battersea Liberal and Radical Association. He was elected to the House of Commons in 1892.

When first in Parliament Burns and John Keir Hardie were independent labour MPs, but Burns diverged from the ILP in tactics and his poor personal relations with Hardie. Burns' tendency to seek freedom of movement and alliances where they could achieve immediate results meant that he was eventually drawn more towards the Liberal mainstream, despite having worked with the labour group in Parliament since he was first elected. During the South African (Boer) War, Burns engaged in active opposition to the War, on humanitarian as well as traditional liberal economic and political grounds.

1906-1914: Liberal Minister

In 1906 he became a minister in the Liberal government, appointed as the President of the Local Government Board (LGB), where he stayed until 1914, when he was appointed briefly President of the Board of Trade. Burns' time in office at the LGB has been criticised as very little legislation emerged, although he did use administrative means to put through practical improvements in tackling disease and the application of the poor law. He resigned from the government on 2nd August 1914, objecting to the country's involvement in the Great War.

1914-1943: Retirement

John Burns never returned to politics after his resignation. He was unwilling to speak out publicly against the War, although he did participate in public life through work on committees dealing with distress and relief in London for some of the War. In 1919 he was left an annuity of £1000 by Andrew Carnegie, which with his own savings and assisted by his lifelong abstinence, left him materially secure for the rest of his life. For the next twenty-five years he was able to develop his acknowledged expertise on London history, find time to attend cricket matches and add to his library.