Burns , John Elliot , 1858-1943 , politician and trade unionist

John Burns was born in Lambeth, in 1858. He trained as an engineer and became active in the labour movement and local politics. He was a leader of the London dock strike of 1889. Burns was elected to London County Council on its inception in 1889, remaining in office until 1907. He also served as Member of Parliament for Battersea (1892-1918) and was president of the Local Government Board (1905-1913) and the Board of Trade (1914). Burns resigned from the Cabinet in protest at the British decision to declare war in August 1914.