Here you will find brief biographies of prominent people involved in the formation of the Co-operative Movement. The text is taken from Arnold Bonner's "British Co-operation" (Co-operative Union 1970), Stan Newens' revised version of W.H. Brown's "Pathfinders" (1997) and other sources.

A compressed account of so large and complex a movement as the Co-operative Movement forces out of consideration the individuals, even the leading personalities, who constituted and made it. Yet the Movement's ideals, principles, systems of organisation and administration originated in the minds of individuals. It was individuals also who thought, decided, formed, established, developed, discussed and debated.

These brief biographical sketches are intended to give some idea of the manner of men and women who played important parts in the Co-operative Movement. It is impossible to deal with all, those selected are those whom students most frequently desire to know something about. In some cases, eg, Robert Owen or the Webbs, it is easy to get a good deal of information, but in most of those dealt with here it is difficult, which also accounts for the inclusion of some.

Acland, Sir Arthur, 1847-1926 
Alexander, Earl, of Hillsborough, 1885-1965
Arizmendi, Jose Maria, 1915-1976
Bamford, Samuel, 1848-1898
Blandford, Thomas, 1861-1899
Bonner, Arnold, 1904-1966
Brading, Keith, 1917-1996
de Boyve, Edouard, 1840-1923
Brown, William Henry, 1867/8-1950
Byron, Lady Noel, 1792-1860
Campbell, Alexander, 1796-1873
Carpenter, William, 1797-1874
Cooper, William, 1822-1868
Craig, E. T., 1804-1894
Davies, Margaret LLewellyn, 1862-1944
Deans, James, 1845-1935
Dent, John James, 1856-1936
Gide, Charles, 1847-1932
Gray, J. C., 1854-1912
Greening, Edward Owen, 1836-1923
Greenwood, Abraham, 1824-1911
Hall, Fred, 1878-1938
Hetherington, Henry, 1792-1849
Hirst, T., 17?-1833
Holyoake, George Jacob, 1817-1906
Howarth, Charles, 1814-1868
Hughes, Thomas, 1822-1896
Jones, Benjamin, 1848-1947
Jones, Ernest 1819-1869
Jones, Lloyd, 1811-1886
King, Dr William, 1786-1865
Kingsley, The Rev Charles, 1819-1875
Lawrenson, Mary E., 1851-1943
Lovett, William, 1800-1877
Ludlow, John Malcolm Forbes, 1821-1911
Martineau, Harriet, 1802-1876
Maxwell, Sir William, 1841-1922
May, Henry John, 1867-1939
Mercer, T. W., 1885-1947
Mitchell, John Thomas Whitehead, 1828-1895
Molesworth, The Rev W. Nassau, 1816-1890
Morgan, John Minter, 1782-1854
Mudie, George
Neale, Edward Vansittart, 1810-1892
Örne, Anders, 1881-1956
Owen, Robert, 1771-1858
Pare, William, 1805-1873
Pitman Henry, 1826-1909
Plunkett Sir Horace Curzon, 1854-1932
Poisson, E., 1882-1942
Pratt, Hodgson, 1824-1907
Rae, William Robert, 1858-1936
Raiffeisen Friedrich Wilhelm 1818-1888
Rochdale Pioneers
Smithies, James, 1819-1869
Thomas, Philip, 1925-1967
Thompson, William, 1785?-1833
Twigg, Herbert James Thomas, 1900-1957
Vivian, Henry Harvey, 1868-1930
Wade, Dr Arthur S
Warbasse, Dr J. P., 1866-1957
Watkins, William Henry, 1862-1924
Watkins, William Pascoe, 1893-1995
Watson, James 1799-1874
Webb, Catherine, 1859-1947
Webb, Sidney 1859-1947 and Beatrice 1858-1943 - (Lord and Lady Passfield)
Wolff, Henry William, 1840-1930
Worley, Joseph James, 1887-1944
Wright, Frances, 1795-18?

Acland, Sir Arthur, 1847-1926 - MP Thirteenth Baronet. As Member of Parliament from 1885, later Liberal Cabinet Minister, Acland's natural sympathies made him responsible for liaison with the Labour movement, especially the Co-operative Movement. In 1884, he worked with Benjamin Jones to produce a book, Working Men Co-operators which had very wide circulation. His wife Alice's regular weekly women's column Our Corner in the Co-operative News was the inspiration for the Women's Co-operative Guild.
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Alexander, Earl, of Hillsborough, 1885-1965 - Co-operative Politician Born and bred in the west country. Left school at 13 and a year later was a clerk to the Bristol School Board. Studied part-time and by 1920 was in charge of higher education for Somerset County Education Department. Began his political life as a Liberal but was so radical that it was natural he should gravitate towards the still young Labour Party. Became Secretary of the Joint Parliamentary Committee 1920. Entered Parliament 1922 as Co-operative Member for Hillsborough thus being among the first Co-operative MPs. Served as a Cabinet Minister in the governments of Ramsey MacDonald, the Winston Churchill coalition and Clement Attlee. First Lord of the Admiralty 1929-31, 1940-47, Minister of Defence from 1947. Went to House of Lords in 1950 as Viscount Alexander, made an Earl 1963. Leader of the Opposition in the Lords 1955-65. As Secretary of the Parliamentary Committee, MP, and peer "AV" was tireless in his work for the Movement. In Parliament his name became synonymous with Co-operation.
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Arizmendi, Jose Maria, 1915-1976 - Priest of Mondgragon A young priest concerned for education and employment in his parish of Mondragon. With strong community support in 1943 opened the Zaragosa School of Engineering. Eleven students graduated with honours in 1952. Five of these, working with Arizmendi, launched the first producer co-operative in the area. Since then, many types of co-operatives have been organised in Mondragon to serve every need, employing many thousands of people, with assets of millions of dollars, becoming a model worldwide. An indefatigable worker, inspirational and challenging thinker, reflected today in the unique character of Mondragon co-operatives. Opposed dictatorship of Franco, for which he was jailed in the late 1930s.
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Bamford, Samuel, 1848-1898 - Editor of the "Co-operative News" Born near Rochdale. Education mainly in the Science and Art classes of the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers' Society. Appointed editor of the Co-operative News in 1875, then heavily in debt with a circulation of 11,000. At his death had its own buildings and plant and a circulation of 50,000. Exercised considerable influence on the development of the Movement during these years. Served also for nine years, three as president, on the committee of Manchester and Salford Society. Father of William Bamford, editor of Co-operative News and Annie Bamford Tomlinson, editor and founder of Women's Outlook.
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Blandford, Thomas, 1861-1899 - General Secretary of the Co-operative Productive Federation Born at Curragh, Ireland. Employed as a warehouseman in London 1881, attended lectures at Men's and Women's College and commended by James Bonar, the economist. Joined the Labour Association in 1885 and thenceforward devoted himself to the cause of co-operative production. President of the Labour Association for two years. In 1894 was made Secretary of the Co-operative Productive Federation and then worked himself to death. In five years 1894-1899, fourteen new societies started in membership with the C.P.F.
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Bonner, Arnold, 1904-1966 - Co-operative College Tutor Born in Littleborough, Lancashire, his parents were related to Nathan Holt, the first full-time librarian of the Rochdale Pioneers and to G. Shepherd, secretary of the Rochdale Co-operative Corn Mill.

Trained as an engineer, his association with co-operative education began with his membership of WEA classes in economics. He won a scholarship to Ruskin College, Oxford and studied there from 1928-1930, gaining the Oxford University Diploma in economics and political science with distinction.

Appointed to the tutorial staff of the Co-operative College in Manchester in 1930, he devoted himself almost exclusively to co-operative education and the study of co-operation in Britain and Europe. He wrote extensively on co-operative topics, his last work being British Co-operation, generally considered the most authentic modern text book on co-operation.
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Brading, Keith, 1917-1996 - Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies A civil servant who developed over the years from an expert in his given subject to a great enthusiast. Following war time naval service, he was called to the Bar in 1950, and joined the Solicitor's Office of the Inland Revenue. Transferring to the Registry of Friendly Societies in 1969, he served as Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies 1972-1981. Following his 'retirement' he was involved with many organisations, including playing a leading role in the formation in 1991 of the United Kingdom Co-operative Council, and acting as its first chairman.
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de Boyve, Edouard, 1840-1923 - One of the originators of the International Co-operative Alliance French co-operator. English mother, read English co-operative journals. Settled at Nimes 1872, met Auguste Fabre. In 1879 joined in founding a co-operative bakery and in 1883 a consumers' society. Then proposed to establish a Co-operative Union. With the help of Neale and Holyoake was successful. Played an active and important part in establishing the International Co-operative Alliance and in its early history.
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Brown, William Henry, 1867/8-1950 - Co-operative Journalist and Author Born in East London in 1867 or 1868, the son of an active co-operator, WHB as he was invariably known came into close contact with many of the contemporary leaders of the Co-operative Movement. He was London correspondent of the Co-operative News from 1895-1916, when he joined the publicity department of the Co-operative Wholesale Society in Manchester, and edited the Producer until his retirement in 1934. He had written histories of several co-operative societies before his retirement, and wrote many more, along with journal articles after that date.
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Byron, Lady Noel, 1792-1860 - Wife of the poet and friend to the early Co-operative Movement Lady Noel Byron, nee Annabelle Milbanke, born Elemore Hall, Durham, of wealthy and well-connected parents. Married Lord Byron, the poet, 1815, one daughter, Ada, 1815, left him 1815, legal separation 1816. Spent remainder of her life in charitable works and assisting reform movements. A friend of Dr William King, who was tutor to her daughter at a salary of £300 a year and often served as her adviser. King found a house for her in Brighton, 1826, and she became interested in and an enthusiast for Co-operation. From 1828 onwards her name frequently appears in connection with co-operative efforts, she gave financial assistance to co-operative societies and co-operators and persuaded friends to do likewise. Probably helped with the publication of King's Co-operator. Assisted to establish societies in various parts of the country at Gatacre (Liverpool), Leicester, Huddersfield, Spitalfields, and in Sussex where she also tried to establish a wholesale organisation. She had a strong belief in the importance of education and founded an Industrial and Agricultural School at Baling Grove, with the Owenite, E. T. Craig, in charge. Had previously thought of starting a school "on a Co-operative plan of education." Purchased a building at Bristol to enable Mary Carpenter to continue her reformatory.

Although enthusiastic for Co-operation, it was that of Dr King, not of Robert Owen, which appealed to her. W. H. Brown described her as "the godmother of Co-operation." Her name is on the Reformers' Memorial, Kensal Green.
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Campbell, Alexander, 1796-1873 - Scottish Owenite, Co-operative and Trade Union Pioneer Born Kintyre, Argyllshire. Apprenticed to joiner. Early disciple of Robert Owen. Member of Orbiston Community, jailed in Hamilton, 1828, for Orbiston debt. 1830, formed Glasgow Co-operative Society. 1831, pamphlet of lecture at Cambuslang" Address on Progress of the Co-operative System." Claim that this contained dividend on purchase idea has never been proved. 1832, delegate at London Co operative Congress. Also active in Radical and Trade Union movements. Advocated Women's Suffrage during struggle for Reform Bill. 1834, secretary of Glasgow Carpenters' Union and Secretary of Glasgow United Committee of Trades. 1830-1831, editor of Herald to the Trades Advocate, 1833-1834 editor of The Tradesman. 1834. jailed for contravening Stamp Act. 1836, assisted formation of National Radical Association of Scotland. 1838, appointed Social Missionary. 1840, mobbed at Burslem. 1847, parliamentary candidate for Stockport, withdrew. 1848, editor of Spirit of the Age. 1856-1858, editor of Weekly Chronicle. 1863, editor of Glasgow Sentinel. 1858, Co-operative Association formed, Campbell chairman. Did much co-operative propaganda and founded societies at Cumbernauld and Lanark. Convened conference at Trongate to consider establishing a wholesale depot, took part in establishing the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society, and was one of the supporters of the Co-operative Congress 1869. Helped to refound the Glasgow Trades Council, 1858. With MacDonald, the miners' leader, took a leading part in agitation for repeal of Master and Servants Act. Chairman of the Repeal Committee, 1864. On his initiative, a national trade union conference called in 1864, a precursor of the first Trades Union Congress.
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Carpenter, William, 1797-1874 - Receiving no education as a boy, he was employed by a Finsbury bookseller, and by self-education qualified for the successive editing of several journals, notably Lloyd's Weekly News in 1843. In 1830-31 he issued a series of "Political Letters" which he claimed were not subject to the stamp duty but he was prosecuted.

He attended the Third Co-operative Congress held in London in 1832 when Robert Owen presided, and edited the proceedings.
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Cooper, William, 1822-1868 - One of the original Rochdale Pioneers Handloom weaver, later stationer and account books maker. Owenite, Chartist Secularist, Radical. Self-educated. Served as cashier of the Rochdale Society from its beginning to his death, as well as performing many other duties including that of superintendent of the stores from 1851. One of the first members of the Rochdale District Co-operative Corn Mill Society, whose history he wrote. Took an active part in developing the Co-operative Movement corresponding with people at home and abroad, giving information and advice on the forming and management of co-operative societies. His correspondents ranged from Gladstone and university professors to working men requiring advice on how to start a society. Regarded as the best informed man in Britain regarding co-operative principles and methods of administration.

Much of the preparatory work in establishing the Co-operative Wholesale Society fell upon him, convening conferences, acting as secretary, and assisting Neale to draft the necessary changes in the Industrial and Provident Societies' Act. This was no light task, in two years it involved 1,600 postal communications, including letters, petition forms, circulars, receipts. He was one of the original 12 members of the Co-operative Wholesale Society Later he was equally active in establishing the Co-operative Insurance Company (the CIS), and also serving as its first secretary.

"He conducted the Pioneers' office business, spoke at other societies' gatherings, filled the part of a co-operative union in answering innumerable letters of inquiry, and literally worked night and day." (Redfern)

"His life was active and unselfish and the remuneration he received was far less than he deserved. All his conduct seemed marked with an exact and unvarying conscientiousness." (Robertson).

"He spared himself no trouble; he gave the leisure of his mornings, of his mid day, of his evenings and of his sabbaths, freely and ungrudgingly to sending replies to most distant or unknown persons in any part of the country or in any part of the world - he thought much higher of the benefits co-operative principles could render morally than of the pecuniary benefits they could confer" (Holyoake).

"Billy Cooper was a roystering sort of lad - a Lancashire lad with red hair, rather wiry, which used to stick up and look like a mop ... He was the finest example of a Pioneer that Co-operation ever had." (Ben Jones).
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Craig, E. T., 1804-1894 - Owenite, Manager of Ralahine Born in Manchester 1804. Present at Peterloo. Fustian cutter. Member of the "Utility Society" 1825-1827, formed in Manchester for "intellectual and social improvement," an offshoot was a fustian cutters' co-operative society. Attended early Congresses. Started and edited The Lancashire and Yorkshire Co-operator

1831-1832. Organiser of the Ralahine Co-operative Community 1831-1833, his History of Ralahine translated into French, German and Italian. An originator of agricultural and industrial training schools, organised the first of the kind in this country under the auspices of Lady Noel Byron at Baling in 1834. Numerous inventions. Various tracts on health. Editor of Leamington Advertiser, Brighton Times, Oxford University Herald. Agitated for renewal of Co-operative Congresses in the 1860s. Present at the first of the modern series in 1869, and succeeding ones until 1889.
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Davies, Margaret LLewellyn, 1862-1944 - Secretary of the Co-operative Women's Guild. Father was John Llewellyn Davies, Rector of Marylebone, London, scholar and reformer, honorary chaplain to the Queen, a Christian Socialist who played an active part in the Working Men's College. Mother was daughter of Mr. Justice Compton, aunt was Miss Emily Davies, one of the founders of Girton College, Cambride. M. L. Davies thus brought up in a Christian Socialist circle interested in education and feminist emancipation. Educated at Queen's College, London, and two years at Girton. With Miss Vaughan Nash tried to establish self-governing workshops for women, later studied and converted to the Rochdale system.

Joined Marylebone branch of the Co-operative Women's Guild 1887, became its secretary, elected to Central Committee 1889 and appointed General Secretary the same year. Father appointed Vicar of Kirby Lonsdale, West Riding, and M. L. Davies removed there, a room at the vicarage serving as the Guild Office. She had a commanding presence, was an inspiring orator and a fine leader. She led and urged the Guild and its members to take an active part in co-operative and civic life, to have wider interests and vision than women were then supposed to have, eg, free trade, reform of the Poor Law, establishing of Trade Boards, and the minimum wage for co-operative employees' campaign.

She had ideas on co-operative education, many of which came to be adopted and was largely responsible for the Woolwich Congress 1896 setting up the famous inquiry into the educational work of the Movement. Had views of the place of the Co-operative Movement in the Labour Movement similar to those of the Webbs.

Largely through her efforts that the International Women's Guild was formed in 1921. When appointed General Secretary the Guild had 51 branches and about 1,800 members, when she retired in 1921 it had 1,023 branches and 52,000 members. Wrote many pamphlets and the History of the Co-operative Women's Guild 1904. Was President of the Co-operative Congress 1922, the first woman to fill this office. Her Presidential speech showed a grasp and understanding of co-operative ideals and principles much above the average for these occasions.
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Deans, James, 1845-1935 - Born in Kilmarnock, James Deans acquired an education in his leisure time while serving his apprenticeship as a handloom weaver. He became a member of the Kilmarnock Reform League which campaigned for votes for working men, and joined the Co-operative Movement.

He was chosen as Secretary of the Ayrshire Co-operative Conference Association in 1874 and in 1881 was elected to the Scottish Board of the Co-operative Union, becoming chairman of the Scottish Board within two years, and becoming secretary in 1885. He was involved in the fight against the boycott of co-operatives by the private sector, promoted the Co-operative Movement in Ireland, served on the executive committee of the International Co-operative Alliance and supported Co-operative intervention into politics. He retired in 1924.
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Dent, John James, 1856-1936 - Originally a bricklayer, gravitated to the Civil Service, attached to the Board of Trade as Labour Correspondent, later to the Ministry of Labour. 1919, appointed adviser on co-operative and social questions to the Development Commission and awarded a CMG. Throughout his life he was associated with the Movement. Among his friends were G.J. Holyoake, T. Hughes, E.V. Neale, Hodgson Pratt, and E.O. Greening. Member of the Central Board 1883-1893, attended fifty Congresses. One of the founders of the Co-operative Permanent Building Society, of which he was a director. Responsible for the establishment of several distributive and productive societies. For 47 years on the committee of the Tenant Co-operators Ltd. Also active with the Club and Institutes' Union, the Workers' Educational Association, and the London University Joint Committee of Tutorial Classes. A collector of books and periodicals on the early co-operative and socialist movements in Great Britain, much of which passed into possession of the Co-operative College.
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Gide, Charles, 1847-1932 - French economist and co-operator Came of a Huguenot family, born at Uzes (Gard), where his father was a judge. 1872, obtained his Doctor's degree with a thesis on the collective law of associations. 1879, appointed to the chair of Political Economy at Bordeaux, left this for Montpellier in 1880. Devoted himself to socio-economic problems. Completed his Principles of Political Economy in 1883, which was to go through 27 editions in 49 languages. 1887, founded the Review of Political Economy. 1900, appointed to Chair of Comparative Social Economy at Paris. Entrusted with general report of the Social Economy Section of the Universal Exhibition of 1900. 1921, retired, but appointed to a Chair of Co-operation at the College de France 1922-1930. In 1913 awarded the Laveleye prize by the Royal Academy of Belgium, bestowed every six years by an international body of judges on the economist or lawyer "whose work as a whole shall have contributed most to the advancement of science."

In his youth interested in ideas of Fourier by a fellow student, Auguste Fabre, later discovered Co-operation in an article on the Rochdale Pioneers by Elie Reclus during 1867. Attracted by the Pioneers' solution to the socio-economic problem as being "not a revolutionary solution, but neither was it a lazy solution, and which carried a conviction as a formula of morality, truth and justice."
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Edouard de Boyve's efforts to establish a Co-operative Union decided him to join in co-operative activities, and in 1886 presided over the second Co-operative Congress. He speedily gained a reputation as a theorist and expositor of co-operative doctrine. His views were mockingly referred to as the School of Nimes," an epithet which became his glory. In 1902 made President of the Co-operative Union, and in 1903 elected to the Central Committee of the International Co-operative Alliance. Played a great part in the International Co-operative Alliance both before 1914 and in reviving it after the Great War 1914-1918. His co-operative doctrines were firmly based on Rochdale principles, and his admiration for the Rochdale Pioneers inspired him to make a famous speech upon them which included what has been described as one of the finest passages in co-operative literature.

Works: Principles of Political Economy, Institutions of Social Progress, Consumers' Co-operative Societies, Selected Works of Fourier, History of Economic Doctrines (in collaboration with M. Rist), Lectures on Political Economy.
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Gray, J. C., 1854-1912 - General Secretary of the Co-operative Union Born at Ripley, Derbyshire, son of a Baptist minister. Began work as a railway clerk, became secretary of the Hebden Bridge Fustian Society, 1874 (a co-operative society taken over by the Co-operative Wholesale Society in 1918). Assistant secretary of the Co-operative Union in 1883 and General Secretary in 1891. Was concerned with the International Co-operative Alliance in its early days and was its joint honorary secretary with E.O. Greening. Is remembered as a first rate administrator and for his proposal, made in his presidential address to the Co-operative Congress of 1906, that all existing co-operative societies should be combined into one national society. He wrote many pamphlets and articles and a handbook on the Industrial and Provident Societies Act, 1893.
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Greening, Edward Owen, 1836-1923 - Born in Warrington. Educated at the Quakers' School, Manchester. Apprenticed to wireworking at 13 years of age, worked 12 hours a day. Soon engaged in reform movements. First public speech when 16 years of age at a meeting of the Anti Slavery Society, Manchester, of which he became secretary. During the American Civil War he was an active propagandist for the northern states. One of the founders and honorary secretary of the Union and Emancipation Society, which had several leading co-operators among its members. Active in the agitations for manhood suffrage in the 1860s, helping to found the Manchester and Salford Manhood Suffrage League (the northern section of the Reform League). Contested Halifax in the parliamentary election of 1868 as a working class candidate, opposing both Liberal and Conservative.

His reform activities brought him into contact with co-operators and he was actively engaged in the Co-operative Movement from the mid-1850s onwards. Several of his co-operative acquaintances were old Owenites, among them Dr J. Watts, James Hole, William Pare, Galpin (Pare's son-in-law and member of the firm of Cassell, Petter and Galpin, then the biggest publishers in the world), Lloyd Jones, E. T. Craig, G. J. Holyoake, A. Pears (founder of the famous soap firm, reputed possessor of the finest collection of personal relics of Owen: Greening held that the recipe for Pears soap was given to Pears by Robert Owen). Was active in the events leading to the convening of the Co-operative Congress of 1869 and in the formation of the Co-operative Union, in whose affairs he was prominent. A member of its Central Board. Rarely missed a Congress until his death. Opened Holyoake House in 1911, the headquarters of the Union.

He had a hand in starting and running several industrial co-partnership enter prises. Also helped to form the Labour Association, was a member of its first Executive and its first treasurer 1884, became its President 1893. Also helped to form the Co-operative Productive Federation, 1882, as one of its seven original individual members. Started the Agricultural and Horticultural Association, 1868, and was its managing director until 1915. Edited its publications The Agricultural Economist and the One and All Gardening Annual.

Played a prominent part in the formation of the International Co-operative Alliance and as described in the text, was a member of its first council.

Believed co-operative societies should engage in matters other than trade, such as encouraging and supporting sport, art, and hobbies and undertaking varied educational activities. Persuaded Southern Sectional Board to run a Co-operative Institute, initiated the Crystal Palace Festival, 1887-1910 (entries reached 6,000, attendance was between 25,000 and 50,000). Always a keen educationist he advocated a Co-operative College in his inaugural address as President of Congress in 1904. Lectured at innumerable weekend schools and at summer schools, author of numerous pamphlets and articles and histories of several societies.
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Greenwood, Abraham, 1824-1911 - Born at Rochdale, son of a small blanket manufacturer. Educated at his uncle's school near Leeds and at a Rochdale seminary. Trained in business of woolsorting. Was secretary of the Rochdale Chartist Association at the age of 18. Also acted as spare-time librarian of the People's Institute, which at that time had the biggest library in the town. Joined the Rochdale Pioneers in 1846 and was soon elected to its Management Committee. Keenly interested in its educational work in which he took an active part, an originator of its education department. His paper The Education Department of the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers' Society, 1877, was printed by the Co-operative Union, had a wide circulation, and some influence on other societies' educational activities.

Associated with the founding of the Rochdale Corn Mill Society and its first chairman. For a time acted as manager and put the society on its feet. During the 1850s was concerned with the attempts at co-operative wholesale trading. His experience as chairman of the Pioneers' wholesale department gave him an insight into the problems and needs involved. Actively concerned with the steps to establish a wholesale society from 1860 onwards, his scheme for a wholesale society was largely adopted, as described in the text, and "Mr. Abraham Greenwood of Rochdale must be regarded as the original promoter of the Co-operative Wholesale Society" (Co-operative Wholesale Society advertisements in The Co-operator). He was one of the 12 original individual members and the first President, an office he held for seven years. Cashier and bank manager of the CWS., 1874-1898.

Also founder, director and for a time manager of the Co-operative Insurance Company (later the CIS). Was one of the promoters of the Co-operative Newspaper Society (now the Co-operative Press Ltd) and was its chairman for 25 years.

A member of the Central Board he was a well-known figure at Congresses and co-operative meetings of all kinds, at which he was often accompanied by his daughter, who in 1883 became one of the founders of the Women's Co-operative Guild.
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Hall Fred, 1878-1938 - Adviser of Studies and first Principal of the Co-operative College Born at Rochdale. At 13 years of age an office boy at John Bright and Bros, Rochdale, later assistant manager to a Wardle textile firm, then secretary, traveller and manager of an eyelet manufacturing firm. Meanwhile was teaching classes in Co-operation for the Rochdale Pioneers' Society, and in bookkeeping and business methods in technical schools, and studying in University Extension Classes. Later studied at Manchester University where he graduated BCom in 1908 and MA in 1910. In 1910 appointed chief lecturer in commercial and industrial organisation at Belfast College of Technology (Queen's University) and in 1913 Professor in Commerce.

In 1906 he had been agitating for a Co-operative College. An article by him in Belfast Society's Wheatsheaf, 1911, resulted in his being asked to submit a paper on the subject to the Easter weekend conference at Leicester, 1912. This commenced an enthusiastic and organised movement to establish the college. In 1915 appointed Adviser of Studies to the Co-operative Union.

The great co-operative survey had commenced in 1915 and he speedily became associated with it, he enlarged its scope, sought to give it scientific precision, under took responsibility for the statistical research and for many of the constructive proposals submitted to Congress. The Report of the Survey Committee was largely his work, and presented a policy which the Movement however only partly pursued. Much of the Independent Commission Report of 1958 repeated in essence what had been said in 1920.

Then and in the years which followed he re-organised and expanded the work of the Education Department, started and developed the Co-operative College, started and conducted a Co-operative International Summer School (later taken over by the International Co-operative Alliance), taught and lectured by day and night, at weekends and summer schools, wrote many pamphlets and text-books, dealing mainly with education and business subjects, including Handbook for Members of Co-operative Committees, probably still found on many executive officers' desks, Standard Co-operative Book-keeping, three volumes, and with W.P. Watkins Co-operation.

He also linked the educational work of the Co-operative Movement with that of other educational bodies such as the Workers' Educational Association (being one of its earliest members and associated with it up to his death), Ruskin College, the World Association for Adult Education and numerous others. Served on many committees, including Government ones, the most important of which was the Committee on National Debt and Taxation (the Colwyn Committee) and prepared memoranda and presented evidence before such committees and Royal Commissions.

"It can be said with truth that Fred Hall's influence on co-operative development and expansion throughout the post-war years was greater than the Co-operative Movement knew. As the Movement grew he did not alter. Always he was the same rugged, democratic, unpresumptuous son of Rochdale, one comparable with Charles Howarth, Samuel Ashworth, and J.T.W. Mitchell." - T. W. Mercer.
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Hetherington, Henry, 1792-1849 One of the band of reform publishers who defied the Government continuously. He persistently published unstamped papers, and when he died the "Times" wrote that he was one of a number of persons "who were familiar with the inside of every gaol in the kingdom". Hetherington was one of the promotors of the first London Co-operative Printers' Society but is now chiefly remembered for his "Poor Man's Guardian". He was one of the founders of the first Mechanics' Institute in London.
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Hirst, T., 17?-1833 - One of the originators of Huddersfield Society, 1829. Corresponded with Lady Noel Byron. Delegate to the first Congress, 1831, and to subsequent ones. A prominent and influential member of those Congresses, at times occupying the chair. Lectured on Co-operation in Lancashire and Yorkshire. His widow was assisted by Lady Noel Byron who also provided for the education of his two sons, each spending three years at E. T. Craig's school at Ealing Grove.
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Holyoake, George Jacob, 1817-1906 - Co-operator and Secularist Born at Birmingham, son of an engineer, second of 13 children. Apprenticed as a tinsmith, also worked as a whitesmith. In 1834 attended a Mechanics' Institute, showing an aptitude for mathematics and making of instruments. Was teaching mathematics in 1837. In 1831 joined the Birmingham Reform League, beginning an active participation in political and social movements which continued throughout a long life. Attended meetings addressed by Robert Owen, 1837. In 1838 delivered his first lecture on Socialism and Co-operation and became a member of Owen's Association of All Classes of All Nations. Lectured at the Worcester Hall of Science, 1840 (Halls of Science were Owenite educational institutions). Went to Sheffield in 1841 to lecture and conduct a school for the Universal Community Society of Rational Religionists (then the title of the major organisation of Owenites). Tried and convicted on a charge of blasphemy in 1842 consequent upon a lecture at Cheltenham.

Went to London, 1843, and kept a shop for the sale of advanced literature. Secretary of Anti-persecution Union. Editor of The Movement. Continued lecturing on Owenism in various parts of the country, including one in Rochdale in 1843. In 1846 started The Reasoner which, in addition to its secularist opinions, also contained co-operative news and views. The term Secularist, invented by himself, was first used in it (December 1846).

Started business of bookselling and publishing in 1853 and took a prominent part in the movement for the removal of the tax on newspapers and engaged in the movement for electoral reform. Secretary for the British Legion which went to Italy to assist Garibaldi. Corresponded with and a friend of Mazzini. Attempted to enter Parliament in 1857 for Tower Hamlets, 1868 for Birmingham, 1884 for Leicester. Spent last years of his life in Brighton, where he was President of the Liberal Association.

He had a life-long and generally active association with the Co-operative Movement and was friendly or well-acquainted with all the leading figures in it. One of the promoters of the 1869 Congress, he attended subsequent ones and spoke frequently, edited the reports of the proceedings of the third, fourth and fifth Congresses, presided at the seventh, and being a moving, eloquent orator addressed most co-operative occasions worthy of note. He contributed numerous articles to the press on co-operative topics and also wrote many pamphlets on co-operative subjects.

His books on Co-operation, Self-Help by the People: History of Co-operation in Rochdale 1858 (first appeared as a series of articles in the Daily News, 1855), History of Co-operation In England, two volumes, 1875-1879; Self-Help a Hundred Years Ago, 1888; The Co-operative Movement To-day, 1891 are little read today. None of them is good. He was far too unreliable for any historical work. Only the first, which dealt with the history of the Rochdale Pioneers is of any value, and this because it was such an effective and widespread piece of propaganda that it could not be ignored in a history of Co-operation. His other notable work is his Sixty Years of An Agitator's Life, two volumes, 1892, which gives interesting light on some 19th century movements, but whose value is also lessened by the unreliability of the author.

He had a prolific pen, and wrote on a variety of subjects, besides co-operative, such as manuals on grammar and mathematics, children's reading books, books on religion or irreligion, politics, trade unionism, biographies, overseas settlement. J. McCabe's biography lists 175 books and pamphlets by Holyoake.

In addition he edited several periodicals, 27 in all, some of which he started. Those of co-operative interest are The Reasoner, 1846-1872, especially a supplement, The Reasoner Gazette; Co-operative and Secular News, 1860, The Counsellor, 1861, The Secular World and Social Economist, 1862-1864, The Industrial Partnerships Record, 1867-1868, (in partnership with E.O. Greening) and its successor, Social Economist, 1868-1869.

His great age and his contacts with the earlier figures of the Co-operative Movement made him a revered figure in his last years. On his death the Movement levied itself threepence per member to provide a worthy memorial to him, this taking the form of a site and building to serve as the headquarters of the Co-operative Union and known as Holyoake House. There was an opinion that the name of E.V. Neale who did more than any other man to establish the Co-operative Union should have been associated with its headquarters, but this was not to be, and Neale's name in any case is inseparably connected with the Co-operative Union even if Holyoake's name is attached to the building it inhabits.
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Howarth, Charles, 1814-1868 - Rochdale Pioneer Born at Rochdale, one of the original Pioneers and an active member of the No. 24 Branch which preceded the foundation of the Rochdale Society in 1844. Was one of the leading figures, and sometimes described as "the Constitution Maker of the Modern Co-operative Movement." With James Daly drew up the original rules of the Rochdale Society, and has been generally credited with inventing the device of dividend on purchases, though it is now known that others had preceded him with similar devices in other parts of the country. Was elected President of the society at its first quarterly meeting.

Also concerned with the Rochdale Co-operative Corn Mill whose rules he helped to compile. Took an active part in establishing the Co-operative Wholesale Society and was elected to its first Board of Directors, and in establishing the Co-operative Insurance Company, of which he was also a director. A cotton warper by trade, be was active in reform movements. Played a prominent part in the agitation for the Ten Hours Act, and was sent to London as a delegate to lobby the House of Commons.
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Hughes, Thomas, 1822-1896 - Christian Socialist Born at Uffington, Berkshire. Went to Rugby School, 1833, his experiences at which provided the ground for the book by which be became best known - Tom Brown's Schooldays. From Rugby went to Oriel College, Oxford, graduated BA, 1845. Called to the Bar 1848, Queen's Counsel, 1869, Judge of No.9 County Court Circuit, Cheshire, 1882. One of the early group known as Christian Socialists, he remained associated with and active in the Co-operative Movement. Presided at the Co-operative Congress of 1869 and delivered the inaugural address, also at the fourth congress, and at the fifth and sixth occupied the chair for three and two days respectively.

His honesty and forthrightness earned him the respect of opponents. Took a prominent part in the great debates in the 'seventies and 'eighties on producer versus consumer Co-operation, championing the producer case. He and E.V. Neale were life-long friends.

Member of Parliament for Lambeth, 1865-1868, and for Frome, 1868-1874. Joint author with Neale of A Manual for Co-operators. In recognition of his services the Co-operative Movement founded the Hughes Scholarship, tenable at Oriel College, Oxford (later incorporated with a similar scholarship founded to commemorate E. V. Neale).
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Jones, Benjamin, 1848-1947 - Born in Salford, son of a dyer's labourer. Began work at nine years of age as an errand boy but rose to position of bookkeeper to the firm. In 1866 appointed assistant to William Nuttall of the Co-operative Wholesale Society, and in 1868 succeeded him as accountant. Was meanwhile studying at mechanics institutes and at Owen's College under Professor Stanley Jevons and served on Education Committee of Blackley Society. Became assistant salesman in 1870 and In 1871 was managing a department. When the Co-operative Wholesale Society opened its branch in London he was put in charge, and became one of the leaders of Co-operation in the South.

Did a great deal of propaganda and organising work in his leisure hours. Was a member of the Central Board from 1875 and acted as honorary secretary to the Southern Sectional Board, 1875-1894. Chairman of the Co-operative Aid Association. Founder of "The Tenant Co-operators' Society" the first co-operative housing society. Honorary secretary to the Joint Parliamentary Committee. First chairman of the London Committee of the C.P.S. Twice President of Congress.

Contested three parliamentary elections as a Labour candidate. For some years was one of the managers of two London Board Schools, correspondent and manager for evening classes, chairman of a working men's club. With A.D. Acland wrote Working Men Co-operators 1883, which has gone through so many revised editions and served so many generations of co-operators that it is probably the most extensively. read of any book on Co-operation. More important, however, was his Co-operative Production, 1894. The fruit of original research, it gives detailed accounts of almost every form of co-operative productive activity in the 19th century. A classic and mine of information.
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Jones, Ernest 1819-1869 - Born in Berlin, the son of a major in the 15th Hussars who was equerry to the Duke of Cumberland. Jones joined the Chartists and became associated with Feargus O'Connor and "The Northern Star". In 1848 he was arrested for making seditious speeches at Clerkenwell, and sentenced to two years' imprisonment. He was a strong advocate of co-operation.
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Jones, Lloyd, 1811-1886 - Owenite and Social Missionary Born at Brandon, Northern Ireland. Fustian cutter. Went to Manchester, 1827. Engaged in the Co-operative Movement by 1832, largely due to influence of E.T. Craig. Lectured in Manchester and neighbouring towns. Soon one of the Owenite leaders. Elected to the Central Board of the Association of All Classes of All Nations, 1837, and appointed to the staff of the regular home missionaries, undertook propaganda and education in Lancashire, Yorkshire, London, and Scotland. The New Moral World contains numerous records of his activities.

Was brought into contact with E.V. Neale and assisted him in his ventures during the 1850s. The text refers to his co-operative activities during this decade and during the 'sixties and 'seventies, which it will be seen were numerous, widespread and various. Linked pre-Rochdale Co-operation with the later Movement, and his many contacts with northern co-operators enabled him to link the Rochdale Movement of the north with that being promoted by Neale, Hughes and Ludlow in the metropolis. His long, wide and varied experience gave him a strong influence. One of those who brought the Congress of 1869 into being, and a frequent and influential speaker at succeeding ones.

Also active in trade unionism. Was secretary to a fustian cutters' trade union in 1827, but became more engaged in the later period of his life, serving as arbitrator to a number of trade unions in the 1870s.

As with many social reformers in the 19th century he engaged in journalism. Contributed to the New Moral World, to the Spirit of the Times as "Cromwell," 1849, the Spirit of the Age, 1849-1850, the Glasgow Sentinel, 1850-1863, again as "Cromwell." Established the Leeds Express, 1857. Was connected with the Beehive (a Labour Paper of the 'seventies') until 1876, writing most of the leading articles, the Newcastle Weekly, the Newcastle Daily Chronicle, 1878, Miners' Watchman and Labour Sentinel as editor, the Co-operative News. Wrote a Life of Robert Owen. Stood for Parliament as a Radical. Advocated a People's Party.
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King, Dr William, 1786-1865 - An originator of the Co-operative Movement Born at Ipswich, son of the Rev. John King, of an old Richmond, Yorkshire, family. Educated at Ipswich Grammar School, Westminster, Oxford, Cambridge. 1809, graduated BA, 1812, MA Fellow of Peterhouse. Intended for the Church, but could not agree with all the 39 articles. Studied medicine at St. Bartholomew's Hospital and in Paris. 1819, M.D. of Cambridge. 1820, Fellow of Royal College of Physicians. Married in 1821 and settled in Brighton. Active in social work in Brighton. 1823, instrumental in establishing an infant school. Acquainted with Elizabeth Fry and assisted her to form the Brighton Provident and District Society (the first visiting society in England). Chief promoter of the Brighton Mechanics' Institute, opened 1825 by Dr. King and Dr. Birkbeck (1776-1841, the founder of Mechanics' Institutes, a native of Settle, Yorkshire).

King conducted classes in mathematics and natural philosophy. These brought him in contact with men interested in Owenism. 1827, Bnghton Co-operative Benevolent Fund Association and Brighton Co-operative Trading Association formed. A visit by the editor of the Co-operative Magazine in 1827 reported favourably upon these Brighton ventures. King's Co-operator, published 1828-1830 (first issue May, 1828) to assist these and other societies. This was his great contribution to co-operative thought and is dealt with in the text. Its worth and influence was such that some have credited King with being the father of Co-operation.

King withdrew from active participation in 1830, in spite of subsequent appeals from individual co-operators and from Congresses. Was friend and adviser to Lady Noel Byron and tutor to her daughter, she remained a great friend to the Co-operative Movement. Continued to be active in the life of Brighton and pursuing his medical career 1826 was one of the Town Commissioners 1842 appointed consulting physician to the Royal Sussex County Hospital. 1847, instrumental in forming the Brighton Medical Society. Was its first president, some lectures of his under its auspices published as Medical Essays.

Although King's association with the Co-operative Movement was so brief, his influence was such that it was never forgotten. Correspondence with him was published by the Christian Socialist and later by Pitman's Co-operator. Several references to him were made in speeches and correspondence by old co-operators reported in the Co-operative News in the 19th century. J.J. Dent stressed his importance in a lecture given to the Working Men's College, 1889, and later wrote a pamphlet outlining King's principles (published by the Co-operative Union in 1922).

Although he was never forgotten, however, he was considerably underrated. The first step to giving him his true place in co-operative history was a classic account of his Co-operator by Dr Hans Muller in the International Co-operative Alliance Year Book in 1913. The second was the publication of Dr William King and the Co-operator, 1828-1830 by T.W. Mercer (1922). This contains a brief biography of Dr. King, some of his correspondence, and most valuable, a reprint of all the 28 numbers of the Co-operator. It was issued again with some slight revisions edited by A. R. Downie under the title of Co-operation's Prophet.
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Kingsley, The Rev Charles, 1819-1875 - Christian Socialist Born at Holne vicarage, Devon. Educated at King's College, London; Magdalene College, Cambridge. Ordained 1842. Rector of Eversley 1844. Sympathised with the Chartists. A Christian Socialist, serving mainly with his pen. Contributed to Politics for the People and the Christian Socialist. His novels Yeast and Alton Locke were written to arouse people to the sufferings and injustices suffered by working people and his Cheap Clothes and Nasty to expose the sweating system.

With strong feelings, an independent mind but impulsive, he aroused much antagonism. Nevertheless he was successful as an author. His Westward Ho, Hypatia, Hereward and The Water Babies are still known and read. He became the most popular Cambridge lecturer as Regius Professor of Modern History at that university, and was appointed one of Her Majesty's Chaplains and Canon of Chester Cathedral Keenly interested in science, he was a member of the Linnean and Geological societies and welcomed the Darwinian theory of evolution when it was still suspect or opposed by many churchmen and scientists.
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Lawrenson, Mary E., 1851-1943 - General Secretary Women's Co-operative Guild Daughter of a Liverpool printer, eldest child of seven. Married J. Lawrenson, auditor of Woolwich Society. Served on education committee, organised, and taught children's classes. One of the originators of the Women's Co-operative Guild. Drew up its first constitution, was a member of its first Central Committee, general secretary 1885-1889. Served on the Southern Sectional Board 1893-1894, 1896-1898, the first woman member of the Central Board.
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Lovett, William, 1800-1877 - Born in Cornwall, he moved to London and joined the First London Co-operative Association. He also became secretary of the Co-operative society at 19 Greville Street, Hatton Garden and in about 1830 was secretary of the British Association for Promoting Co-operative Knowledge. He was a pioneer of the movement for opening museums and art galleries on Sundays. He drew up the People's Charter, and whilst in prison in Warwick in 1839 wrote a book on Chartism. In his later years, he did much for the furtherance of secular education among the working classes.
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Ludlow, John Malcolm Forbes, 1821-1911 - Christian Socialist Born in India, son of a British officer, educated in France, graduated BLitt at University of France, enrolled a member of Lincolns Inn 1843. A member of the Christian Socialist group, he attracted the rest of the group to Co-operation. Started and edited the Christian Socialist, and engaged in all the activities of the group, promoting productive societies and working men's associations, preparing the ground for the introduction and passing of the Industrial and Provident Societies' Act, 1852, establishing the Working Men's College and teaching there.

Was also interested in and sympathetic to trade unionism, wrote and spoke on its behalf, defended the trade unions during some big strikes, helped to collect and present evidence without which the passing of the Trade Union Act of 1871 would have been unlikely.

Assisted to convene the Co-operative Congress of 1869, wrote the preface to its Report, presented a paper and spoke on many subjects to it, played a prominent part in succeeding Congresses until 1875. Secretary to the Royal Commission on Friendly and Building Societies, 1874 Appointed Registrar of Friendly Societies 1875.
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Martineau, Harriet, 1802-1876 - Harriet Martineau's "Illustrations of Political Economy" caused interest among the members of the Manchester & Salford Association for the Spread of Co-operative Knowledge and the Association received a letter which declared she had been "awakened from a state of aristocratic prejudice to a clear conviction of the equality of human rights and of the paramount duty of society to provide for the support, comfort and enlightenment of every member born into it". She followed with keen discernment the development of the social movements of her day and the growing influence of women in the world of thought, and many of the early co-operators were among her correspondents.
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Maxwell, Sir William, 1841-1922 - Chairman of the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society Born in Glasgow. Began work as a messenger at 10 years of age. Attended evening classes. Apprenticed as a coach painter at 13. Had co-operative connections, his great uncle a keen Owenite. Maxwell corresponded with and was influenced by G.J. Holyoake and Lloyd Jones. Joined St. Cuthberts Co-operative Association, Edinburgh, 1872. In 1876 made secretary of the District Conference Association. A fine speaker and propagandist and did much to inspire the starting of new societies.

Joined the Board of Directors of the SCWS in 1880 and was made its chairman in 1881. In 1893 elected to the Board of the Co-operative Newspaper Society.

Had imagination, enterprise and a social philosophy, and was one of the great formative influences of the Movement. A great opponent of sweating and a strong supporter of trade unionism. Shocked Congress in 1893 by exposure of wages and conditions of some co-operative employees. Helped to stimulate formation of the AUCE Supported profit sharing and participation of employees in management.

Believed in political action and sought to persuade the Co-operative Movement to further co-operative representation in Parliament and to fuse forces with the trade unions and the Labour Party. Parliamentary candidate for the Tradeston Division in General Election, 1901. His programme was anti-war, and included taxation of land values, nationalisation of liquor traffic, abolition of House of Lords, liberal old age pensions.

As a co-operative idealist he desired the Movement to extend co-operative production. He was largely responsible for the scheme of the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society industrial estate at Shieldhall although his intention that a co-operative model village should be associated with it was not realised. He also played a great part in effecting the joint ventures of the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society and the Co-operative Wholesale Society, in tea, coffee and cocoa.

In 1902, he was elected to the Central Committee of the International Co-operative Alliance and in 1907 was made its President, an office he held until 1921, when failing health necessitated his resignation.
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May, Henry John, 1867-1939 - The son of an engineer, his first job was as a junior with the Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society. At the age of seventeen, he left to become an engineering apprentice at the Royal Arsenal. May became a member of the Royal Arsenal Society's board of management, editor of the Society's magazine Comradship and a leading platform exponent. In 1898, he was elected to the central board of the Co-operative Union. In 1909 he was elected secretary of the joint parliamentary committee of the Co-operative Congress, an office he held until 1919. He became the Parliamentary Representation Committee's first secretary on its formation in 1917, and its first candidate by contesting a by-election at Prestwich in the same year. May was elected secretary of the International Co-operative Alliance, and for the rest of his life the development of the International Co-operative Alliance was his main work.
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Mercer, T. W., 1885-1947 - Co-operative Journalist Son of a Surrey agricultural labourer. Started work at 12 years of age in a grocer's shop. Entered co-operative service in his early twenties, became a branch manager and later took charge of Epsom Society when it was under the control of the Co-operative Wholesale Society Appointed Education Secretary to Plymouth Society. Contested the Moss Side Division in a parliamentary election. Appointed to teaching staff of the Co-operative College in its first days, but in 1922 was made editor of publications of the Co-operative Union, and was the first editor of the Co-operative Review. Rest of his life engaged as a journalist.

1927, appointed London representative of the Co-operative News, and at various times edited the Millgate, the Co-operative Official and the Guildman, Served on the National committees of the National Co-operative Men's Guild and the Co-operative Party. He had a very lively, though not always disciplined, mind and prolific pen. At his best was a very fine writer indeed. Wrote Dr. William King and The Co-operator, 1922, and Towards The Co-operative Commonwealth, 1936.
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Mitchell, John Thomas Whitehead, 1828-1895 - Chairman of the Co-operative Wholesale Society Born in Rochdale, mother a domestic servant who later kept a small beerhouse. Grandfather associated with the Rochdale Society of 1835 and a subscriber to Queenwood. Educated at a National School, started work at a cotton mill at 10 years of age, continued his secular education in Sunday classes. When 17 began to attend Sunday School, which had a marked effect on his life. Read little except the Bible which he knew well. Joined the Rochdale Pioneers' Society in 1853 and was elected to its management committee in 1856. Served also as part-time secretary to and on the Library Committee (which concerned itself with education). Helped to promote the Rochdale Co-operative Manufacturing Society and served on its committee 1860 and 1862 and then became its chairman until 1870. Acted as secretary to the Pioneers' Science and Art Classes, 1872-1873, 1881-1895. Elected to the Board of the Co-operative Wholesale Society in 1869 and became its chairman in 1874, an office he held until his death in 1895.

A strong, enterprising character, with personal qualities which commanded the respect of all, he largely shaped the policy and course of the Co-operative Wholesale Society, and indeed of the Movement. All the major developments of the Co-operative Wholesale Society to his death bore his mark. He is generally credited with being the father of the idea of consumers' Co-operation, and although this may be disputed, it was certainly he who made the British Movement largely a consumers' one.

He attended the Co-operative Congress of 1869 and all succeeding ones to 1894. Elected to the Central Board in 1872, he was closely associated with the work of the Co-operative Union, He was a protagonist of the great debates on the control of co-operative production and profit-sharing during the 1870s and 1880s, opposing such redoubtable debaters as Hughes and Neale, and standing up to a keen examination of his consumer theory by Professor Alfred Marshall when giving evidence before the Royal Commission on Labour (1892). He presided at the Rochdale Co-operative Congress, 1892, and his presidential address expressed his ideals and outlined his ideas of a consumer theory.

An active temperance worker and superintendent of a Sunday School until his death. Politically he saw good and evil in both Conservatives and Liberals, but was a member of the Radical Reform Association and stood as a Liberal candidate in the Rochdale municipal elections in 1893 and 1894. His defeat on both occasions was largely due to the opposition of private traders. His programme would have been agreeable to the future Labour Party, advocating direct employment by the corporation on work for the corporation, a living wage for all, the abolition of the aldermanic bench.

Mitchell was a co-operator and could not have accommodated himself to either of the big parties of the day. In 1891 he had declared to Congress that it was absolutely necessary for co-operators as such to be represented in Parliament, the representatives to be sent apart from politics or religion. Nicknamed "Baron Wholesale", and reputed to have well feathered his nest during his 21 years as chairman of the Co-operative Wholesale Society, (despite living simply in a Rochdale working man's house - 15 John Street), he left £350 17s 8d.

His views were well summarised in a passage in his presidential address - "The three great forces for the improvement of mankind are religion temperance and Co-operation, and as a commercial force, supported and sustained by the other two, Co-operation is the grandest, noblest, and most likely to be successful in the redemption of the industrial classes."
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Molesworth, The Rev W. Nassau, 1816-1890 - Co-operative Clergyman Born at Millbrook, Hampshire. Son of the Rev J. E. N. Molesworth, Vicar of Rochdale, who was a Tory opponent of Rochdale radicals. Traced descent from the Plantagenets. Educated Canterbury and Cambridge. Appointed Vicar of Spotland, a Rochdale district, in 1844. A high churchman, radical, historian, friend of Cobden and Bright and a great co-operator. Almost from the beginning took an interest in the Rochdale Pioneers Society, gave advice and taught classes and was made arbitrator in 1862.

Attended and gave an address to the Co-operative Congress of 1869, and helped to promote international Co-operation as related in the text. Sometimes referred to as "the Co-operative Parson." In his memory the Society presented a sculptured bust of him to his church and J. T. W. Mitchell presented his portrait in oils to the Society. Author of History of the Reform Bill, 1864, and History of England Since 1830, three volumes, 1873.
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Morgan, John Minter, 1782-1854 - Christian Owenite Born in London, father a wholesale stationer, who bequeathed him an ample fortune. One of the earliest adherents of Owen, a fervent Christian, was not deterred by Owen's denunciation of religions 1817. Published On the Practicability of Owen's Plan, 1819, and defended against clerical attacks the right of Owen to give Sunday lectures, 1830. Did much to popularise Owen by expressing his social theories in a digestible form and perhaps by showing that they were not at variance with Christian doctrine. His most important work was Hampden in the Nineteenth Century, 1834, held by Holyoake to be his most extensively read book, but Beer (History of British Socialism)e age of 16. Secretary of the Co-operative Productive Federation from 1922-44. In 1922 elected to the joint Parliamentary Committee of the Co-operative Congress, and in 1937 was president of the Co-operative Congress.
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Mudie, George - Early Co-operator  - Little known of his life. Did not complete his studies at Edinburgh and went into journalism. 1818-1819, on a Glasgow paper, went to London about 1820. Reporter to the Morning Chronicle, a Liberal paper, position said to be due to influence of James Mill. Mudie probably already an Owenite. 1821-1822, editor of the Economist, a weekly devoted to Owenite propaganda. It succeeded in gaining the attention of the London artisans and inspired the founding of the Co-operative and Economical Society in London, 1820.
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Neale, Edward Vansittart, 1810-1892  - Christian Socialist, co-operative idealist, and Genera! Secretary of the Co-operative Union

Born at Bath, son of the Rev. B. Neale, family home Bisham Abbey. Educated Oriel College, 1827, graduated BA, 1831, MA, 1836, called to the Bar, 1837. Drawn into the Christian Socialist circle, member of the Council of Promoters of Societies for Promoting Working Men's Associations, 1850. He served the Co-operative Movement longer and more continuously than any others of the circle, had a more comprehensive view and a better understanding of its potentialities. His legal ability served the Movement well, from the drafting of the Industrial & Provident Act of 1852 until 1876 all the amendments to the Act were prepared wholly or in part by him. Drafted the rules for registration of such national co-operative organisations as the Co-operative Wholesale Society, compiled the model rules for co-operative societies published by the Co-operative Union, and his advice was continually sought on legal questions by co-operative organisations.

One of the promoters of the Congress of 1869 and became secretary of the Central Board in 1872 (officially known as the Co-operative Union, 1875) at a nominal salary. Did great work in propaganda, in promoting societies and organisations and in guiding and advising new societies. One of the protagonists in the great debates of the 1870s and 1880s on consumer versus producer control of production. Was on the side of producer control. As he was one of the first to realise the need for national organisation in the 1850s and 1860s and was active in promoting it, so he was also one of the first to appreciate the possibilities of international Co-operation and sought to promote that also, being one of the principal founders of the International Co-operative Alliance.

Long record as a promoter of co-operative organisations and of service on their managing boards, from the ventures of the early 1850s such as the Co-operative League and the Central Co-operative Agency to the Co-operative Insurance Company, 1867, the Co-operative Newspaper Society, 1871, the Co-operative Productive Federation, 1882, the Agricultural and Horticultural Association, 1867.

Besides his contributions in legal, advisory, promotional and administrative activities, he was one of the principal co-operative thinkers. Congress reports from 1870 onwards, and 19 pamphlets on co-operative subjects, show his ability to discover and frame principles, to reveal the fundamental problems of co-operative development and to formulate schemes to solve them by the application of principles. With Hughes he wrote A Manual for Co-operators which is a classic on co-operative ethics and economics.

Throughout his association with the Co-operative Movement he proved himself not only a sincere idealist, but one who took practical action in attempts to achieve them, who not only framed principles but applied them. He paid a big price in so doing, losing £40,000 in the efforts to establish working men's associations for production in the 1850s, and spending the last 20 years of his life as General Secretary of the Co-operative Union engaged in the hard uphill work of firmly establishing the organisation, in guiding and influencing the hundreds of societies which were still in their infancy, in struggling for social ideals, often against grubby and short sighted materialism. For what must often have seemed a hopeless and thankless task, he lived the greater part of each week in Manchester lodgings, away from his family, when he might have spent those years in easy, gracious living at Bisham Abbey.

"His devotion to the Co-operative Movement and the priceless services which he rendered are known only to those who were honoured by his personal friendship; but his generosity and patience his simplicity of heart, of faith amid failure his bravery and selflessness have inspired others with enthusiasm and self sacrifice." (Extract from a resolution of the Central Board of the Co-operative Union.) A memorial to him was erected in the crypt of St. Paul's Cathedral, and a scholarship for the sons of co-operators tenable at Oriel College was endowed in his memory. He was one of the finest characters ever associated with the Co-operative Movement.
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Örne, Anders, 1881-1956  - Foremost theoretician of the Swedish Co-operative Movement

Born of a peasant family in Western Sweden and reared in a peasant economy. Graduated in philosophy at Uppsala University. 1907, editor of a Stockholm Labour journal and active in the Labour movement. 1910, appointed chief editor of publications of Kooperativa Förbundet (Swedish Co-operative Union and Wholesale). 1916, appointed General Secretary of KFL 1919, a member of the first chamber of the Riksdag (Swedish Parliament), and Under State-Secretary to the Ministry of Finance in Sweden's first Labour Government, and Minister of Communications and Transport in the second.

In 1926 left his co-operative employment to become Director of the Post Office, was Director of the National Debt Office Board, but retained an interest in and continued active in the Co-operative Movement. Member of the Administrative Council of KF, President of Stockholm Society, and member of the Central Committee of the International Co-operative Alliance, 1920-1956. His experience in both the co-operative and labour movements and as an elected leader and salaried official in both government and co-operative service give his opinions exceptional weight. These were firmly based on Rochdale principles. He expounded them in Co-operative View on Society, 1918; The Seven Basic Principles 1919; Co-operatism, 1921; The Co-operative Programme, 1921; Co-operative Ideals and Problems, 1924 (long used by the Education Department of the British Co-operative Union) and over 30 pamphlets. Wrote and lectured on co-operative subjects, economics, political and social problems, and also produced several popular books on mathematics.
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Owen, Robert, 1771-1858  - "The Father of Co-operation," of British Socialism, and much else

Born at Newtown, Montgomeryshire, sixth of seven children. Father a saddler, ironmonger and postmaster. Attended day school but at 10 years of age entered retail trade, first for a few weeks with his brother, a saddler in London, then with McGuffog, a linen draper at Stamford, for some time in a big drapery shop, Flint and Palmer, in London, and at the age of 18 at a haberdashers, Sattersfield, in St. Ann's Square, Manchester. Entered Into partnership with a mechanic, Jones, in making spinning mules, then worked on his own. Gave this up to become manager of Drinkwater's cotton mill, later manager and partner of the Chorlton Twist Company. His life in Manchester had a great influence on his career, it not only gave him experience and knowledge of the factory system but he made friends with members of Manchester College and as a member of the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society he had contacts with thinkers such as John Dalton, Coleridge, and Dr Percival, whose work and report on factory life was the beginning of the movement for factory legislation. In this circle Owen heard economic and social theories discussed and from these discussions formulated theories of his own.

In 1799 he married Miss Dale, daughter of David Dale, the owner of the New Lanark cotton mills, and became manager of those mills for the New Lanark Twist Company (consisting of himself and two of his Manchester partners). He ran the business successfully and gained the reputation of a good practical businessman, but he also conducted his social experiments, in the education of children and improving working conditions, which he believed proved the soundness of his theory of character formation.

Then he attempted to have his theories applied on a larger scale, seeking to obtain legislation to improve factory conditions, which resulted in the disappointing Factory Act of 1819, and to have communities established. These were suggested by him to government and local authorities as a remedy for unemployment and poverty, though he had much higher and further objectives and sought to advance his opinions by pen and speech.

His denunciation of all organised religions 1817 aroused a great deal of unnecessary antagonism, and handicapped co-operation for more than a generation. In 1819 and 1820 unsuccessfully contested the parliamentary election of Lanark Burghs. At the zenith of his manufacturing career he withdrew from business and devoted himself to the furtherance of his plans for communities. Undertook, and sank money in his communist experiments at New Harmony, USA, 1825-1828, which failed. On his return to England, 1829, found the working classes were forming co-operative societies with the object of developing into communities, attended the first Co-operative Congress and was little impressed with the Movement or attracted by its methods. Became more enthusiastic as he saw possibilities of using the Movement for his scheme of National Equitable Labour Exchanges (opened the one at Grays Inn Road, 1832).

A brief and catastrophic incursion into trade unionism with the same end in view resulted in the formation and collapse of the Grand National Consolidated Trade Union, 1834. This period was designated by Owen as The Crisis, his journal under that name being followed by the New Moral World, 1834-1845. Owen then toured this country and many others, expounding his New Moral World, and forming associations to propagate it The Association of All Classes of All Nations, the Universal Community Society of Rational Religionists, the Home Colonization Society. His views on marriage and religion aroused intense feeling and resulted in what Podmore refers to as The Holy War, 1839-1841. The last great community venture at Queenwood ended in failure. He became its governor with full powers in 1841, but conducted it extravagantly, expenditure anticipating income which failed to materialise. He resigned in 1842, but was invited to take over again in 1843. Matters went from bad to worse and the Congress of Rational Religionists of 1844 decided not to invite Owen to continue as President. This was practically the end although he continued to write and address petitions, to tour and to speak. About 1853 became a convert to Spiritualism.

Accepted an invitation to stand as parliamentary candidate for Marylebone in 1848, issued an election address which contains interesting items, not all of which would appeal to modern socialists. Contributed five papers for discussion at the National Association for the Promotion of Social Science meeting 1857, and travelled to and addressed its meeting at Liverpool, 1858. The effort was too much for him, although he rallied and a fortnight later was able to get to Newtown; he died there on November 17th, 1858.

He was a voluminous writer, much of it boring and repetitive, although his earlier work and his autobiography are very readable. The New View of Society published in the Everyman's edition includes four essays on the Formation of Character, 1813-1814, and Address to the Inhabitants of New Lanark, 1816; Observations on the Effect of the Manufacturing System, 1815; On the Employment of Children in Manufactories, 1818; To the British Manufacturers, 1818; An Address to the Working Classes, 1819; Report to the Committee of the Association for Relief of the Manufacturing and Labouring Poor, 1817; Letters Upon the Relief of the Poor, 1817; A Catechism of the New View of Society and Three Addresses, 1817; A Further Development of the Plan for the Relief of the Poor and the Emancipation of Mankind, 1817; Report to the County of Lanark, 1820. With the exception of his autobiography this is the best of Owen.

There is a good introduction by G. D. H. Cole and a bibliography of Owen's works. Robert Owen, 1906, by Podmore is the most comprehensive biography of Owen; G. D. H. Cole's Life of Robert Owen, 1930, is shorter but very good; Robert Owen by Margaret Cole, 1953, is much shorter but contains all the essentials and is very readable. Life, Times and Labours of Robert Owen, Lloyd Jones (1889-1890) is found in many libraries and is, of course, by an admirer who knew him personally.
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Pare, William, 1805-1873  - Leading Owenite

Born in Birmingham, son of a cabinet maker, apprenticed to his father but became a reporter. Later a retailer of tobacco and cigars. Helped to start a Mechanics' Institute (later attended by G.J. Holyoake as a student). Took an active and leading part in Birmingham social and political life by attending meetings to promote Parliamentary Reform in 1819, in the agitation for repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts and for Roman Catholic Emancipation. Member of the Council of the Birmingham Political Union, 1830 (of its considerable secretarial work it was reported" All of it was managed by William Pare"). Led an agitation for the repeal of church rates 1832. Secretary of the Reformers' Registration Society, 1835. Appointed the first Registrar of Birmingham in 1837. Member of the committee promoting the incorporation of the town and a member of its first council.

He was interested in Co-operation in 1827, being converted to Owenism by William Thompson of Cork. Following correspondence with Dr. William King of Brighton in 1828 and moved by the example of Brighton Society, a co-operative society was established in Birmingham in November 1828. Pare maintained the correspondence and circulated copies of King's Co-operator in the Midlands and the North. In 1830 he lectured in Liverpool, Manchester, Bolton, Chester, and elsewhere.

Attended the first Co-operative Congress (Manchester) 1831, and convened the second (Birmingham) and acted as secretary. At the first Congress seconded the resolution to establish a wholesale organisation, was elected to a council for the ensuing year and drafted the address from the Congress to all the co-operative societies in the United Kingdom. He reported and edited most of these Congresses, among them the important third congress (London). From these reports Pare appears as the most frequent speaker, mover of the most resolutions, and undoubtedly among His many speeches reveal him to have a thorough grasp of Owenism and also a shrewdness and common sense which perhaps appealed to those who disliked Owen's "metaphysics."

1829, started and edited the Birmingham Co-operative Herald and in 1833, the Birmingham Labour Exchange Gazette. A keen advocate of National Equitable Labour Exchanges he did much to get a Birmingham branch established. Was on the Management Council and chosen to represent the Exchange in Ireland, to arrange exchanges with Irish produce. Lectured upon Exchanges in Ireland, visited Ralahine, and took possession of estate of William Thompson (deceased). He was one of the trustees of the property of Thompson which had been bequeathed for co-operative purposes.

Pare was elected Vice-President of the Association of All Classes of All Nations and its subsidiary The National Community Friendly Society, 1835. Moved a resolution in the 1838 Congress to appoint missionaries, and was one of a committee of four to formulate a plan and make the appointments. Prepared and delivered an address from Congress to the Chartist Convention, 1838. His socialist opinions, however, aroused such feeling among some quarters in Birmingham that he was compelled to resign his position as Registrar and left Birmingham, 1842. Served as Governor of the Queenwood Community, 1842-1844. Between 1844-1846 worked as a railway statistician and prepared reports for presentation to Parliament on projected lines. Engaged in the management of ironworks, 1846-1865.

Appears to have travelled on business in Scandinavia during this period and to have spread co-operative ideas at the same time. Significant that he attended the modern series of Congresses as a delegate from a Norwegian society - The Eidesfoss Co-operative Society. The text describes his part in promoting the Congress of 1869. He acted as honorary secretary to this and to the Congresses of 1870, 1871, 1872, undertook the foreign correspondence, among the most interesting features of these Congress reports, and spoke frequently and gave addresses. Holyoake credits him with introducing into England the term Congress for deliberative meetings.

Author of Claims of Capital and Labour, Plan for the Suppression of the Predatory Classes, Co-operative Agriculture, and a history of Ralahine. Edited William Thompson's Inquiry into the Principles of the Distribution of Wealth Most Conducive to Human Happiness.
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Pitman Henry, 1826-1909  - Editor of the Co-operator

Born at Trowbridge, Wiltshire, youngest but one of eleven children. Sir Isaac Pitman was an elder brother, and whilst inventing, perfecting, and promulgating his system of phonography (shorthand) taught Henry, and his other brothers the system, and they engaged in writing, teaching, and lecturing upon it everywhere. Henry, after some years, became a newspaper reporter. Served as such on some Manchester papers including the Manchester Guardian, and his Manchester connections resulted in him assisting to start the Co-operator in 1860, he suggesting the name of the paper. After nine months' existence, in order to prevent the paper ceasing publication, he took its charge upon himself, liabilities included, and continued it until the publication of the Co-operative News.

The paper exercised a great influence during the important formative decade of the 1860s, which saw the establishing of the Co-operative Wholesale Society, the holding of Co-operative Congresses, the formation of the Co-operative Insurance Company, and the general bringing together of co-operative societies into national organisations. Pitman's Co-operator played a great part in starting and accomplishing these achievements as reference to the text will show. For 40 years he was the official reporter of the Co-operative Congresses, attending the Newcastle one in the year he died. He was active in many other reform movements - temperance, vegetarian, anti-tobacco and anti-vaccination - serving a prison sentence as an anti-vaccinator
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Plunkett Sir Horace Curzon, 1854-1932  - Pioneer of Agricultural Co-operation

Born at Sherborne House, Glos., third son of Lord Dunsany. Educated at Eton and University College, Oxford, graduated 1877. 1879, started ranching at Wyoming, USA. Visited Ireland each year. 1888, article on Co-operative Stores in Ireland in the 19th century. 1889, returned to settle in Ireland. Visited USA. each year. Opened campaign for agricultural Co-operation. 1891-1918, member of Congested District Board for Ireland. 1892, elected MP for South County Dublin, Unionist. 1894, promoted Irish Agricultural Organisation. President until 1899. In 1895, got Recess Committee convened which led to establishment of Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland, 1899. Plunkett its Vice-President until 1907. From 1907 till his death engaged in spreading the gospel of agricultural Co-operation. Re-elected President of I.H.O.S. Given Plunkett House, Merrion Square, Dublin, as a mark of esteem.

Keen on keeping Ireland within the United Kingdom. 1917-1918, Chairman of Irish Convention, 1919 founded Irish Dominion League. Accepted membership of Senate of Irish Free State, 1922, but his house burned down by political extremists, 1923. Settled in England. 1924, presided over conference on Agricultural Co-operation in the British Empire. 1925, visited South Africa. Died at Weybridge.

Wrote Ireland in the New Century, 1904; Rural Life Problem of the USA, 1910, also many pamphlets. These and his diary in care of Horace Plunkett Foundation, Doughty Street, London.
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Poisson, E., 1882-1942  - French Co-operator

Qualified as a lawyer but spent most of his life in service of the Socialist and Co-operative Movements. Was closely associated with the great French socialist leader Jean Jaures, and was with him when Jaures was assassinated in 1914. Became secretary of the French Co-operative Union in 1912, member of the Central Committee of the International Co-operative Alliance in 1913, elected to the executive of the International Co-operative Alliance in 1921, and became Vice-President, an office he held until his death in 1942.

Did great work towards unifying the French Movement and exercised much influence in the International Co-operative Alliance, here also seeking to make the Alliance as comprehensive as possible without sacrificing principle. Was driven out of office by the fascists of France during the occupation. Wrote several books, much inspired by Professor C. Gide, such as La Co operation et la Democratie, Une Programme d'Action, La Republique Co-operative (translated into English by W. P. Watkins).
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Pratt, Hodgson, 1824-1907  - Co-operator and Internationalist

Born at Bath, educated at Haileybury College. Served in Indian Civil Service, 1846-1863. A friend of India, strove to break down racial barriers. A strong supporter of vernacular education as a step to self-government. Retired as result of a serious illness and contributed articles on Indian questions to the Economist. Assisted to form the National Indian Association and was its first honorary secretary, 1872.

Became interested in the work of the Working Men's Club and Institute Union (formed in 1862) and joined the Council of the Union, 1864. Active and interested in the Club movement for remainder of his life. His association with this movement brought him into contact with the Co-operative Movement. Friendly with Hughes, Neale, Ludlow, and Holyoake. On the committee which called the Congress of 1869 into being. A good linguist, with many friends on the Continent and was one of the earliest and most active advocates for international Co-operation. Worked incessantly in the 1870s and 1880s to establish societies in London. Honorary secretary of Southern Sectional Board, 1873. One of the three guarantors of the London Co-operative Agency, 1873. Prime mover in the establishment of the Guild of Co-operators, 1878. A warm supporter of Co-operative Co-partnership. One of the founders of the Co-operative Permanent Building Society, 1884.

In the opinion of J.J. Dent, did more than any other single man to promote Peace and Arbitration Societies in Great Britain and on the Continent. One of the founders and president for many years of the International Arbitration and Peace Association in London. Took an active part in establishing the International Federation for Arbitration and Peace, and the International League of Workers for Peace, 1883. In the 1880s worked hard in promoting Peace Societies in Germany. Advocated the establishment in all countries of Councils of International Concord, non-official and non-governmental, to ascertain and publish the truth when false or dangerous accusations were made against a nation within the territory of another nation. Strongly opposed militarism.

A strong advocate of craft and technical training, recognising the need for this when few others did, also for the higher education of adult workmen and women, as early as 1870 addressing a Memorial to the Universities urging its provision. Also urged the Co-operative Movement to educate its members in private and public morality, social and political duty, history and literature, and its employees in technical, artistic and scientific subjects to make them first-class managers, overseers, foremen and clerks.

A Hodgson Pratt Memorial was founded in 1911 to keep alive his memory. It consisted of a fund from which essay prizes, scholarships and grants were made "to assist organisations carrying on work which Mr. Pratt would have supported had he been alive". The Co-operative Union and the Wholesale Societies were represented on the committee which administered the fund, which was augmented each year by contributions from co-operative societies, clubs and individuals. J.J. Dent acted as secretary until his retirement in 1930, when the Memorial Society was dissolved and its assets handed over to the Co-operative Union on condition that the capital fund should be kept intact, only the annual income to be spent, that an annual lecture be given in each Section in rotation, that annual scholarships to the Co-operative College and Summer and Week-end schools be awarded, that all such lectures and scholarships bear the title of Hodgson Pratt Memorial.
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Rae, William Robert, 1858-1936  - Educationist

Born in the Orkneys, educated Edinburgh University. Headmaster of Hendon School, Sunderland. Member of Central Board, 1898-1936; President of Congress, 1909; for 34 years chairman of the Education Department of the Co-operative Union, and for some years chairman of the Central Board and a Director of the Co-operative Press. These were critical years for co-operative education and much of the success achieved and related in the text was due to his vigour and zeal. He was also a magistrate, associated with the Temperance Movement, one of those associated with the founding of the Workers' Educational Association, chairman of the Sunderland Juvenile Advisory Committee, and organised a mission for boys in Sunderland. Of fine physique and commanding presence, a splendid and powerful orator blessed with the gift of humour, his personality was a great asset to co-operative education in general and to the Co-operative College in particular.
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Raiffeisen Friedrich Wilhelm 1818-1888  - Originator of Co-operative Credit Societies

Founder of the co-operative credit society movement. Son of the Burgomaster of Hamm, Westphalia. Educated at home, his short military career terminated by bad eyesight, he undertook a career of public service. 1845, Burgomaster of Weyerbusch; 1848, Burgomaster of Flammersfeld; 1854, Burgomaster of Heddersdorf. Desired to improve the character and lot of the peasants who were exploited by moneylenders and merchants. Established a co-operative bakery, then a cattle purchasing association and then the first village co-operative credit society at Flammersfeld. He engaged in propaganda and organisation to extend these credit institutions but at first they spread slowly, the second being founded at Heddersdorf, 1854, the third In 1862, and the fourth in 1868. By 1874 they were becoming well known and after 1880 they spread rapidly and not only in Germany. They spread and exist with some variations, all over the world wherever a free peasant economy is found.
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Rochdale Pioneers 

An appendix to Cole's Century of Co-operation records the most comprehensive investigation yet made into the identities of the original Pioneers. Many who were associated with the venture at sometime or other during 1844 cannot be so regarded, merely putting their names and doing nothing more. Those who were certainly members when the store opened and had contributed capital were:

Names given in other lists include John Kershaw, Ann Tweedale, Samuel Tweedale, Charles Barnish, Benjamin Jordan. A list compiled by the Pioneers' Society in 1880 including those who had joined by the first quarterly meeting, January 6th 1845, on the evidence of the minute book and "surviving originators" added many more - W. Walker, J. Dawson, J. Butterworth, W. Oldham, J. Crabtree, S. Allat, I. Clegg, W. Hellawell, J. Casson, J. Wilson, R. Lupton, G. Morton, J. Whatmough, R Lees, A. Butterworth, C. Shaw. Many of these are found in the list of names in the Purchase Book referred to in A Century of Co-operation. If one accepts them, and their claim might be disputed, there would be 49 original Pioneers, not 28. Lists other than that of G.D.H. Cole include the arbitrators, C. Barnish, J. Garside, G. Healey, J. Lord, J. Wilkinson, none of whom however appear to have been members at the time, and it is probable that the intended nature of the office induced the selection of men sympathetic to, but outside, the Society.

William Robertson, a Rochdalian, on the staff of the Manchester Guardian, a local historian and author of a biography of John Bright, described some of them in the Handbook to the Rochdale Congress of 1892. "Smithies was a native of Huddersfield and had received a good education. On coming to Rochdale he was apprenticed to Mr. Phelps, wool stapler, and having served his time he set up in that business in the top storey of his house in Henland. Amongst those who met at his residence was Charles Howarth, a man of practical knowledge, who it will be remembered took a prominent part in the Co-operative Shop, No. 15 Toad Lane, and which had failed. James Daly, of Crook Street, off John Street, a joiner, was a native of the North of Ireland where his father was a sergeant of the militia. He worked for William Robinson, Drake Street, and acted afterwards in the capacity of foreman for Thomas Robinson. This native of the Emerald Isle was a good grammarian, arithmetician, mathematician and musician, and was a prominent member of the Oddfellows Society. William Cooper, Handloom weaver and socialist, was an energetic young man, employed by Mr. Ashworth of Church Style. John Bent, a native of Davyhulme, near Flixton, was educated at Manchester Bluecoat School (Chetham's Hospital). He was apprenticed to the business of a tailor at Knutsford, became a socialist and lost £15 in the land scheme of Robert Owen, yet nevertheless he joined the aforementioned enthusiasts in forming a plan for the salvation of their fellow workmen. James Standring of Cloth Hall, a man of an enquiring turn of mind, had been a member of the former store, and very poor, for he had a large family, David Brooks, a block printer at Belfield and an enthusiastic Chartist, was also amongst the number, together with others."

Among these others were Miles Ashworth, the first president, a former Marine, one of the guard which escorted Napoleon in the Bellerophon to St. Helena; his son, Samuel Ashworth, the first shopman of the Society, later its manager, who resigned this position to become buyer for the Co-operative Wholesale Society, 1867-1871; John Holt, first treasurer of the society and with David Brooks, entrusted with the first purchases, was formerly treasurer of the local Chartists; John Scowcroft was a Swedenborgian preacher and a speaker at a great demonstration during the strike of 1842 (Plug Plot). John Collier was a descendent of Tim Bobbin, the Lancashire dialect writer, and a member of a very radical family. He had a beehive (until recent times a generally recognised symbol of Co-operation) carved on his tombstone. James Daly in 1849 sailed with his wife and eight children to investigate the possibilities of starting a co-operative community in Texas, but he and his wife died on the voyage.

Many of these men served in various ways during the early days including James Smithies, James Tweedale and William Williams, for instance, collected the subscriptions to share capital by visiting the subscribers on Sunday mornings. Daly knocked up rude shelves prior to the opening of the store, and with Tweedale and Miles Ashworth cleaned the place up and prepared it for opening. Later some served on committees, not only of the Pioneers, but on those of the Corn Mill and the manufacturing society. Some who were not members by January 1845, could be credited as Pioneers by the work they did in the early days of the Society's existence.

It may be noted that, of the original Pioneers, there were more than 28 and only a minority of them were weavers.
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Smithies, James, 1819-1869  - Rochdale Pioneer

An original Rochdale and C.W.S. Pioneer. Born in Huddersfield. Wool stapler. Active in the Co-operative Movement before 1844. His home a meeting-place for co-operators. Active in the formation and development of the Rochdale Society, serving as director, president, secretary, superintendent. Taught in the Toad Lane store on Sunday mornings. One of the promoters of the Rochdale Co-operative Manufacturing Society. A strong advocate of profit-sharing. Chosen by the Pioneers to fight the Inland Revenue Commissioners on income tax liability. One of the original members of the Co-operative Wholesale Society, on its first Board and its first treasurer. Elected to the Rochdale Borough Council.

Holyoake described him as the chief of the Pioneers and in some respects the greatest, "it was Mr Smithies' merriment which kept Co-operation in good countenance during the evil days. He laughed the Society into existence, gave the timid courage and made the grim-faced members genial. His happy nature, his wise tolerance, his boundless patience with dullness, ignorance and discontent made him exercise the great influence which kept the Society together."
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Thomas, Philip, 1925-1967  - First Chief Executive of Co-operative Wholesale Society

Appointed as Chief Executive in the spring of 1966, in a tragically short period he set the pattern for Operation Facelift and the modernisation of both Co-operative Wholesale Society and co-operative trade. After wartime service in the army, he was called to the Bar. After founding the legal department of Allied Bakeries, he was successively, a director and secretary of Associated British Foods before joining Co-operative Wholesale Society in 1966. The following year, he and his wife were killed in an air crash.
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Thompson, William, 1785?-1833  - Owenite

Native of Cork of which he was a prosperous landed proprietor. Corresponded with Jeremy Bentham and resided with him for many years after 1819. Came also under the influence of Owen. He combined the ethics of Bentham, the labour economics of Ricardo and the social views of Owen into a system of socialism. His most important work was a tome, Inquiry into the Principles of the Distribution of Wealth most conducive to Human Happiness, 1824, which is said to have fallen stillborn from the press. William Pare published an abridged version of it in 1850. Also wrote An Inquiry into the Principles Most Conducive to Human Happiness, 1824, Labour Rewarded, or How to Secure the Whole Product of His Exertions, 1827, Practical Directions for the Speedy and Economical Establishment of Communities, 1830. These books reveal the direction of his thought and expound his socialism, the need for socialism, a description of his ideal community and ways and means of establishing them. He is generally regarded as being the finest intellect associated with the Owenite movement, attended the early Co-operative Congresses and was highly revered by them. He conceived and worked out the theory of surplus value. Also wrote An Appeal of One Half of the Human Race, Women, Against the Pretensions of the Other Half, Men.

Died at Clounksen, County Cork. Bequeathed most of his property to trustees (William Pare was one) for the purpose of propagating his principles and aiding their practical application. His library was to go to the first co-operative community established in Great Britain or Ireland. The will was disputed by relatives, and William Pare was still engaged in litigation upon it in 1850. His body was to be examined by a lecturer on anatomy and the skeleton preserved in an anatomical museum. Despite the objections of the local peasantry this was claimed to have been accomplished.
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Twigg, Herbert James Thomas, 1900-1957 

Born at Sheerness Kent, he became an engineering apprentice in Sheerness Dockyard from 1915-1922. His co-operative career commenced in 1919 when he became a member of the first education committee of Sheerness Economical Co-operative Society. He spent two years at the Co-operative College, obtaining the co-operative honours diploma, the diploma in co-operative secretaryship and a variety of prizes. After a short time with the Co-operative Wholesale Society audit department in London, he moved to Manchester and the Co-operative Bank, gaining more prizes in banking examinations. In 1931 he joined the Co-operative Union as assistant labour adviser before moving to Plymouth Co-operative Society as general secretary and chief executive officer in 1941. He served the co-operative movement nationally, and the city of Plymouth locally for the rest of his life. He was a prolific writer on co-operative subjects, writing textbooks as well as contributing to various co-operative journals.
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Vivian, Henry Harvey, 1868-1930  - Co-partnership Advocate and MP

Born at Cornwood, South Devon, the son of William Henry Vivian, a carpenter, and his wife Mary, he was apprenticed to a Plymouth carpenter. He went to London, and became active in the trade union movement, serving as president of the Pimlico branch of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners. The 1890 joiners strike and lockout convinced Vivian of the need for co-partnership, and he became secretary of the Labour Association, retaining his involvement with the Labour Association until his death.

He also applied co-partnership principles to housing development through the formation of Ealing Tenants Ltd in 1901, serving as chairman until 1911. Acting as a lib-lab MP for Birkenhead 1906-1910, he served on various committees, and became a JP in 1911.
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Wade, Dr Arthur S.  - Owenite Vicar

Vicar of Warwick. Active in various Owenite societies in London, member of the National Union of the Working Classes, "a jovial, eccentric doctor of divinity, weighing some 20 stones, a prop and pillar of militant Owenism." Headed, "in full canonicals and the scarlet hood of a Doctor of Divinity" the monster procession of trade unionists (estimated by the Times at 30,000) to present a petition to Lord Melbourne against the sentencing of the Tolpuddle labourers. He was prominent in the Co-operative Congresses, especially the important Third Congress, 1832, where he smoothed over contentions arising from Owen's views on religion. He expressed himself in bold language in attacking the injustices suffered by the poor and is said at one time to have been inhibited from preaching by his bishop. A stone was erected to his memory in St. Nicholas churchyard, Warwick, by the Labour movement on the centenary of his death, 1835.
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Warbasse, Dr J. P., 1866-1957  - American Co-operator

Born in Newton, New Jersey, of Danish descent. Graduated 1889, Colombia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons. Served as army surgeon in Spanish American War and consequently developed "a strong pacifist leaning." Distinguished in medicine and surgery, author of Surgical Treatment, three volumes, editor of New York State Journal of Medicine and American Journal of Surgery. In 1902 married Agnes Dyer (descendant of Samuel Adams). She was active in various social causes and served as unpaid secretary of the Co-operative League until 1928. The Warbasse's homes in Brooklyn and Cape Cod were rallying points for co-operators from all over the USA. Engaged in several labour and social movements, participating in strikes, socialism, anarchism, the single tax movement. Meetings with Sir William Maxwell and A. Sonnichsen (leader in a New York Co-operative) converted him to Co-operation. Enthusiastic and energetic leader of the group which established the Co-operative League, 1916. Was its first President and remained in that office until 1941. Retired from medicine in 1919 to devote all his time to co-operative work. For the first 15 years of the League he was its financial mainstay. A strong adherent and advocate of Rochdale principles, opposing those who favoured modification and short cuts, emphasised importance of co-operative education. Edited and contributed to the League's periodical Co-operation, author of Co-operative Democracy, Co-operative Education, The Doctor and the Public, What is Co-operation? Co-operation, a Way of Peace. Problems of Co-operation. Three Voyages (his autobiography).
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Watkins, William Henry, 1862-1924 

After being an apprentice shipwright, Watkins served as a clerical assistant in naval stores, devoting his spare time to the Co-operative Movement. He joined the Plymouth Co-operative Society in 1887, and took the Co-operative Union examinations, later acting as a teacher for the correspondence courses. Watkins was also involved in co-partnership projects. Member of the Central Board of the Co-operative Union from 1906-09 and 1914 to his death. President of Co-operative Congress 1910 and member of the General Survey Committee 1916-18 and president of the Plymouth Co-operative Society from 1914-19. A supporter of independent co-operative politics, he was a founder of the Co-operative Party and its first Chairman between 1919 and his death.
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Watkins, William Pascoe, 1893-1995 

Son of William Henry Watkins the President of Plymouth Co-operative Society, in 1919 he became one of the first tutorial team at the newly established Co-operative College where he worked for the next decade. He spent the 1930s working for the International Co-operative Alliance, moving in 1939 to "Reynold's Newspaper" the Co-operative Movement's national Sunday newspaper. In 1946 he was despatched to Germany to find surviving German co-operators and re-build the Co-operative Movement.

Between 1951 and 1963 he returned to the International Co-operative Alliance as its Director. Between 1960 and 1966, he acted as rapporteur to the International Co-operative Alliance committee charged with reformulating the Rochdale Principles. In the 1980s, Watkins wrote "Co-operative Principles, Past, Present and Future".
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Watson, James 1799-1874 

Born in Yorkshire, in 1930 Watson was storekeeper of the London Co-operative Society. For a season he was engaged as a co-operative missionary in Yorkshire, distributing tracts by day and addressing meetings in the evening. He put the co-operative case as: "The co-operators would have those who had hitherto lived upon the labour of others henceforth live upon their own capital. They would then discover how long it would last." When volunteers were requested for Richard Carlile's work for a free press, Watson volunteered, and was imprisoned three times for defiance of the law. He then started his own publishing business, which he combined with Chartist advocacy until 1854 when the business was bought by George Jacob Holyoake.
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Webb, Catherine, 1859-1947 

Daughter of Thomas Edward Burgess, a journeyman coppersmith and co-operative pioneer who later became a Co-operative Wholesale Society director, Catherine Webb was imbued with a belief in and knowledge of the Co-operative Movement. She was among the earliest members of the Women's Co-operative Guild, was chair of the first Guild conference held in 1886 and served on the central committee of the Guild from 1885-88 and 1892-93. She wrote a short history of the first ten years of the Guild and later extended this to cover the first 43 years in "The Woman with the Basket".

Catherine Webb was a delegate from Battersea and Wandsworth to several Co-operative Congresses in the 1890s, and from 1895-1902 she represented the southern board on the central board of the Co-operative Union. She edited the "Women's Corner" in the "Co-operative News" for some time and wrote "Industrial Co-operation", first published in 1904 and with 12 editions, for many years the standard textbook on co-operation.

She was also involved in the Women's Industrial Council a body of women's societies associated to the Women's Trade Union Association to investigate and report on questions affecting women. During the later part of her life, she was associated with the work of Morley College providing a recreational centre for the working classes and Worker's Educational Association classes.
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Webb, Sidney 1859-1947 and Beatrice 1858-1943  - (Lord and Lady Passfield)

Sidney Webb , born in London, younger son of C. Webb, accountant, mother kept a hairdressing business. Left school at 16. 1875-1878, in city office of some colonial brokers. Studied in evening classes and entered Civil Service by open competition. 1878, second division clerk in War Office. 1879, in Surveyor of Taxes Office. 1881, first division clerkship in Colonial Office. 1885, called to the Bar. 1886, graduated LLB, London, with third class honours. 1879, became friendly with George Bernard Shaw, and joined the Fabian Society, 1885. Both were members of the Executive, and with Graham Wallas and Sidney Olivier, largely dominated the society for many years.

1887, wrote Facts for Socialists and contributed to the Fabian Essays, 1889. These were some of the most influential contributions to British Socialism. Met Beatrice Potter at the Co-operative Congress of 1890, where they came to "a working compact," and married 1892 Thenceforward they also constituted a working partnership of such a nature that it is necessary to consider their work, thought and activities jointly.
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Beatrice Webb , née Potter, born at Standish House, near Gloucester, eighth of the nine daughters of Richard Potter, industrial and railway magnate, niece of T. B. Potter, Liberal MP for Rochdale. Educated at home. 1882 on death of mother, managed home and assisted father. Friendly with and interest in social and philosophical problems stimulated by Herbert Spencer. Active in London's "Society." Nearly married Joseph Chamberlain. Slummed, visited for Charity Organisation Society, assisted in research for Inquiry Into the Life and Labour of the People of London by Charles Booth (her cousin's husband). To get first hand knowledge of working class life lived with a working class family in Bacup, Lancashire, 1883. To get first hand k ledge of sweated industry worked as a "trouser hand" In the East End of London. Returned north to make an inquiry Into the Co-operative Movement, the fruit of which was The Co-operative Movement In Great Britain, 1891. This was her first book, and although small, exercised a big and historic influence as related in the text Sidney gave a paper to the Congress of 1891 on the best methods of bringing Co-operation within the reach of the people. Beatrice gave one on the Sweating System to the Rochdale Congress of 1892

After their marriage they devoted themselves to political and research work, Beatrice having a comfortable" unearned income " winch permitted this. Her study of the Co-operative Movement led them to undertake an inquiry into trade unionism, the result of which was their classic History of Trade Unionism, 1894, and Industrial Democracy, 1897. Their intention to make a scientific study of facts before coming to conclusions inevitably engaged them in formidable historical research, which may have been salutary to the many authorities who had expressed weighty opinions without such study. Their series on local government, indispensable to any serious student of local government or of social history, began with the publication of The Manor and the Borough, 1906, and proceeded through ten massive volumes to English Poor Law History, The Last Hundred Years in 1929.

Pursuing the Fabian policy of permeation, they sought to influence the leaders of all political parties to adopt socialist solutions to particular social problems, with some success. "For years the famous house at 41 Grosvenor Road was not so much a private house as an efficient manufactory of informed political opinion" (M. Cole). Beatrice's connections provided opportunities for the necessary contacts. Sidney was a member of the London County Council, 1892-1910, sat on 16 committees. His most important work was on education, particularly further education. A Technical Instruction Act, 1889, permitted County Councils to levy a rate for education of this kind. Webb persuaded the LCC to set up a technical education committee with himself as chairman, and by further successful persuasion gradually enlarged the interpretation of" technical" until It included "the teaching of every conceivable subject other than ancient Greek and theology." This was the devious way employed to establish what he really aimed at, a system of adequate secondary education. He was made chairman of the LCC Higher Education Committee. A Fabian, Henry Hutchinson, left £10,000 in trust to his daughter and Sidney Webb and three other members of the Fabian Society for the propaganda and advancement of the Society and its Socialism. As a result of Webb's broad vision a substantial part of this bequest was used to found The London School of Economics and Political Science in the belief that objective, hard thinking on scientific lines was what socialism most needed. Webb also did much in the reorganisation of London University and beca