Michael Austin (politician)
Michael Austin (1855 – 18 February 1916) was an Irish politician and trade unionist.
Born in Cork, Austin was educated at a Christian Brothers school before completing an apprenticeship as a compositor.[1] He was a leading member of the Cork Trades Council, and in 1890 was the founding secretary of the Irish Democratic Trade and Labour Federation, a body which aimed to bring about the political representation of workers in rural areas of Ireland.[2]
The Federation's other leading member was Michael Davitt, and he persuaded the anti-Parnellite Irish National Federation to stand Austin and Eugene Crean as two trade union candidates in the 1892 general election.[2][3] Austin was elected for West Limerick, and held his seat at the 1895 general election, standing down in 1900. While in Parliament, he served on the Royal Commission on Labour.[1]
References
- 1 2 Michael Stenton and Stephen Lees, Who's Who of British Members of Parliament, vol.2, p.13
- 1 2 Samuel Clark et al, Irish Peasants: Violence and Political Unrest, 1780-1914, p.326
- ↑ Laurence Marley, Michael Davitt: Freelance radical and frondeur, p.125
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by William Abraham |
Member of Parliament for West Limerick 1892 – 1900 |
Succeeded by Patrick Joseph O'Shaughnessey |