William C. Robinson

Who was William C. Robinson?

William Cornforth Robinson was a British Labour Member of Parliament. Born in Carlton, West Riding of Yorkshire, he began work at the age of ten in a mill in Burnley. At the age of 17 he organised a trade union after experiencing a 20 week long strike. By 1894 he had become the general secretary of the Amalgamated Association of Beamers, Twisters and Drawers, a position he held to the end of his life. He was president of the United Textile Factory Workers Association from 1903 to 1917. For many years he was a member of the Labour Party National Executive.

In 1911 and 1918 he ran for election at Oldham, and again in 1920 in Ashton-under-Lyne. He was elected at Elland in 1922 but lost the seat in 1923. He won it again in 1924 and held it until 1929.