Sir Ben Turner (1863-1942), Trade unionist

Sitter in 5 portraits
Ben Turner was a founder member of the Independent Labour Party in 1893, and played a role in national Labour politics. However, he is best remembered as a trade union leader. He was a leading figure of Yorkshire woollen trade unionism. After part-time union work, in 1892 he became Secretary of the Heavy Woollen district branch of the West Yorkshire Power-loom Weavers' Association. Turner was on the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party between 1903 and 1921, when he retired in favour of serving on the General Council of the TUC. He was the first President of the National Union of Textile Workers (1922-33) and served as President of the Trades Union Congress in 1927-8.