Lewis Wright, Baron Wright of Ashton-under-Lyne
Lewis Tatham Wright, Baron Wright of Ashton-under-Lyne, CBE (1903[1] – 16 September 1974[2]) was an English politician whose career was strongly connected with the textile industry in Lancashire in North West England. He was also President of the Trades Union Congress.
Lewis Wright was an important trade union leader in the United Kingdom, who rose to fame in the mid 20th century as an influential figure in the British textile industry, representing first the Amalgamated Weavers Association, the Cotton Board and later the Textile Council.[1]
Already a Commander of the Order of the British Empire,[3] Wright was further honoured when Harold Wilson's government awarded him a life peerage in the 1968 New Year's Honours list.[1] On 22 January 1968 he was created “Baron Wright of Ashton-under-Lyne, of Ashton-under-Lyne in the County Palatine of Lancaster”[2] and took his seat in the House of Lords on 7 February.[3] Later in 1968, he became General Secretary and President of the Trades Union Congress, and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Technology from Loughborough University.[1]
Lord Wright lived at 12 Brookfield Grove in Ashton-under-Lyne from 1940 until his death in September 1974. A blue plaque commemorating him was unveiled there by Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council on 20 September 2005.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 Lord Wright of Ashton-under-Lyne on www.tameside.gov.uk, access date 2010-12-01
- 1 2 Lundy, Darryl. "www.thepeerage.com". The Peerage., access date 2010-12-01
- 1 2 Lords Hansard Text for 7 February 1968, access date 2010-12-01
| Trade union offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Stephen T. Goggins |
General Secretary of the Ashton-under-Lyne and District Power-loom Weavers' Association 1935–1950s |
Succeeded by Fred Hague |
| Preceded by Carey Hargreaves |
President of the Amalgamated Weavers' Association 1949–1953 |
Succeeded by Harold Bradley |
| Preceded by Andrew Naesmith |
General Secretary of the Amalgamated Weavers' Association 1953–1968 |
Succeeded by Harry Kershaw |
| Preceded by Andrew Naesmith and Alfred Roberts |
Cotton Group member of the General Council of the Trades Union Congress 1953 – 1968 With: Alfred Roberts (1953 – 1963) |
Succeeded by Group abolished |
| Preceded by Harry Douglass |
President of the Trades Union Congress 1968 |
Succeeded by John E. Newton |