James Keir Hardie (1856-1915) started work at the age of 8 years and worked as a miner in Lanarkshire from the age of 11 years. After being dismissed for union activities, he became a journalist. In 1886, he became leader of the Ayrshire Miners Union and later of the Scottish Miners Federation. He edited 'The Miner' later known as 'The Labour Leader', and stood as an independent candidate in various constituencies from 1888. He founded the Independent Labour Party in 1893 and was MP for West Ham 1892-1895 and for Merthyr Tydfil from 1900. In 1906, he became Parliamentary Leader of the Labour Party.

Title	James Keir Hardie (1856-1915)
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Production Date	1880-1914
Format	Photograph
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Holding Institution	TUC Library Collections, London Metropolitan University
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