William Crooks (1862 - 1921) - Find A Grave Memorial

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William Crooks

Birth:	Apr. 6, 1862
Death:	Jun. 5, 1921
Trade unionist and politician. He was best-known as a trade unionist and campaigner for the poor and working class of Poplar, East London. As a young boy, his family were forced into the workhouse for the destitute, which gave some impetus to his views of the poor and homeless in the future. He read the works of Charles Dickens and also the radical campaigning newspapers of the day later becoming a member of the Fabian Society. He became the first working-class member of the Board of Guardians. His lectures were well-known locally and proved helpful in securing funds for 10,000 striking dockers at the London Dock Strike of 1889, and was elected a member of London County Council the same year along side Sidney Webb, founder of the Fabian Society. He then set about reforming the local workhouse, which was a milestone for future poor law authorities. In 1901 he was elected the first Labour Mayor of Poplar, and became a Member of Parliament for Woolwich in 1903. (bio by: s.canning) Search Amazon for William Crooks

Burial: Tower Hamlets Cemetery Tower Hamlets Greater London, England
Maintained by: Find A Grave Originally Created by: s.canning Record added: Jan 12, 2007 Find A Grave Memorial# 17405165