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Keir Hardie

(1856-1915), Socialist leader and founder of the Labour Party

(James) Keir Hardie (né James Kerr)

Sitter in 22 portraits
Socialist, miner, trade unionist, MP (1892-5, 1900-15) and leader of the Labour Party (1906-8). Born in a one-room cottage in Lanarkshire, Hardie entered parliament in 1892 as independent Labour MP for West Ham South, one of the very first working class members. He made his entrance into the House of Commons heralded by a brass band, and wearing a tweed suit and deerstalker hat, thus becoming known as 'the man in the cloth cap'. He became the first leader of the Labour Party in the House of Commons in 1906. An eloquent spokesman and greatly respected pioneer, he was largely responsible for the creation of the Labour Party as a political force.

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Keir Hardie, by Sir Francis Carruthers Gould ('F.C.G.') - NPG 2846

Keir Hardie

by Sir Francis Carruthers Gould ('F.C.G.')
pen and ink, 1890s?
NPG 2846

Keir Hardie, by (John) Furley Lewis - NPG P1091

Keir Hardie

by (John) Furley Lewis
sepia-toned vintage print, 1902
On display in Room 24 on Floor 2 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG P1091

Keir Hardie, by William John Monkhouse ('Cosmo') Rowe, after a photograph by  George Charles Beresford - NPG 2542

Keir Hardie

by William John Monkhouse ('Cosmo') Rowe, after a photograph by George Charles Beresford
pencil, 1905-1932, based on a work of 1905
NPG 2542

Keir Hardie, by Sir Leslie Ward - NPG 4456

Keir Hardie

by Sir Leslie Ward
watercolour, published in Vanity Fair 8 February 1906
NPG 4456

Keir Hardie, by Sylvia Pankhurst - NPG 3979

Keir Hardie

by Sylvia Pankhurst
watercolour, before 1910
NPG 3979

Keir Hardie, by Arthur Clegg Weston - NPG x13173

Keir Hardie

by Arthur Clegg Weston
bromide cabinet card, circa 1892
NPG x13173

Keir Hardie, by James Russell & Sons - NPG x197786

Keir Hardie

by James Russell & Sons
halftone postcard print, 1900s
NPG x197786

Keir Hardie, by George Charles Beresford - NPG x13172

Keir Hardie

by George Charles Beresford
sepia-toned platinotype print, 1905
NPG x13172

Keir Hardie, by E.H. Mills, published by  Rotary Photographic Co Ltd - NPG x197785

Keir Hardie

by E.H. Mills, published by Rotary Photographic Co Ltd
bromide postcard print, circa 1905
NPG x197785

Keir Hardie, by Unknown photographer - NPG x197897

Keir Hardie

by Unknown photographer
bromide print, circa 1914
NPG x197897

Keir Hardie, by William John Monkhouse ('Cosmo') Rowe, after a photograph by  George Charles Beresford - NPG D42979

Keir Hardie

by William John Monkhouse ('Cosmo') Rowe, after a photograph by George Charles Beresford
lithograph, (1905)
NPG D42979

Keir Hardie ('Men of the Day. No. 1001.

Keir Hardie ('Men of the Day. No. 1001. "Queer Hardie."')

by Sir Leslie Ward
chromolithograph, published in Vanity Fair 8 February 1906
NPG D45313

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Sheila Orr

20 April 2019, 20:30

My grandfather Hugh Lorimer, born approx 1874, died 1956, was one of Keir Hardie's tailors in Cumnock.