John Elliott Burns
(1858-1943), Trade unionist and Liberal politician; MP for BatterseaSitter in 30 portraits
Burns rose from a humble background to become a politician and champion of the labour movement. He began working as an apprentice engineer aged ten and he was largely self-educated. He joined the Social Democratic Foundation in 1885 and was elected MP in 1892, but refused to join the Independent Labour Party and moved towards the Liberals. He became a member of the cabinet as President of the Local Government Board 1905-14, and of the Board of Trade, 1914. Burns resigned in opposition to the war and took no further part in public life.
John Elliott Burns with American visitors to the House of Commons
by Benjamin Stone
platinum print, June 1908
NPG x135550
John Elliott Burns with American visitors to the House of Commons
by Benjamin Stone
platinum print, June 1908
NPG x135551
by Reginald Haines
bromide print, circa 1913
NPG x4926
by London Stereoscopic & Photographic Company
bromide print, early 1920s
NPG x4925
by George Charles Beresford
sepia-toned platinotype, circa 1920
NPG x4924
by George Charles Beresford
vintage print, circa 1920
NPG x4927
John Elliott Burns ('Statesmen, No, 603.')
by Sir Leslie Ward
chromolithograph, published in Vanity Fair 15 October 1892
NPG D44616
after Frederick Drummond Niblett ('Nibs')
coloured print, published 1907
NPG D9536
by W. & D. Downey, published by Cassell & Company, Ltd
carbon print, published 1893
NPG x4921
Comments back to top
We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.
If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.