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Ben Tillett

(1860-1943), Trade union leader and politician

Benjamin ('Ben') Tillett

Sitter in 5 portraits
Trade union leader. Ben Tillett founded the Dockers' Union in 1897 and was instrumental in forming the National Transport Workers' Federation in 1910. These bodies merged in 1922 to form the Transport and General Workers Union. Dockers' strikes in August 1911 were settled after 20,000 were called out for eleven days in London. In May 1920, the dockers refused to load munitions on the Jolly George destined for the Polish defence against Russia. Tillett was Labour MP for North Salford 1917-24 and 1929-31. He was a member of the general council of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) throughout the 1920s, and its Chairman in 1928-9.

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Ben Tillett

by Eric Kennington
pastel, 1920
NPG 6457

Ben Tillett

by Ivan Opffer
sanguine, 1930s
NPG 5453

Ben Tillett

by London Stereoscopic & Photographic Company
carbon cabinet card, 1889?
NPG x87297

Ben Tillett; John Ward ('Men of the Day. No. 1129. "Labour Men."')

by Sir Leslie Ward
chromolithograph, published in Vanity Fair 29 July 1908
NPG D45443

Ben Tillett; John Ward ('Men of the Day. No. 1129. "Labour Men."')

by Sir Leslie Ward
chromolithograph, published in Vanity Fair 29 July 1908
NPG D4637

Place

Greater Manchester

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Ben Tillett

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