James Smith Middleton

James Smith Middleton (born March 12, 1878 in Primrose Terrace Clarborough near Retford , Nottinghamshire , † November 18, 1962 in London ) was a British journalist and political functionary. He served as Secretary General of the Labor Party from 1935 to 1944 .

Life and activity

Middleton was one of three children of Alfred Edward Middleton and his wife Martha, b. Odam. He left school at the age of twelve. At a young age he worked for a printer. He later became a journalist for Workington Star , which was published by his father. Politically, he was initially involved in the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor and the Independent Labor Party. As a full-time official, he eventually became a senior member of the Workington Trades Council and the local Labor Representation Committee.

In 1902 Middleton became the Labor Party's first assistant secretary. He held this position for several decades. Within the party, he was a close follower of Ramsay MacDonald .

As an opponent of World War I policy, Middleton founded the War Emergency Workers' National Committee as its secretary he also served.

In 1935, Middleton was named General Secretary of the Labor Party to succeed Arthur Henderson . He held this position until 1944. As Secretary General, he opposed plans to establish a popular front in Great Britain. Otherwise, he concentrated mainly on enforcing party discipline.

Middleton retired in 1944. His estate is kept in the People's History Museum in Manchester .

family

Middleton had been married to Lucy Cox since 1936, who was a member of the British Parliament from 1945 to 1955 for the constituency of Plymouth Sutton.

literature

• The Labor Who's Who 1927 , 1927, p. 151.
• Duncan Tanner: "Middleton, James Smith", in: Oxford Dictionary of National Biography .