1922 Encyclopædia Britannica/Adamson, William

ADAMSON, WILLIAM (1863–), British Labour politician, was born at Halbeath, Fife, April 2 1863. When very young he began to work in the pits, and for many years led the life of a miner. In 1902 he became assistant secretary of the Fife and Kinross Miners' Association, and in 1908 its general secretary. He stood for Parliament unsuccessfully in Jan. 1910, but in Dec. was elected for West Fife. On the reorganization of the Labour party in 1917, Mr. Adamson succeeded Mr. Arthur Henderson as its chairman, and in 1918 he was sworn of the Privy Council. In 1919 the Labour party, as the second strongest combination in the House of Commons, decided to assume the position of the official Opposition, and Mr. Adamson became its leader, taking his seat on the front Opposition bench. As an Opposition leader he also congratulated the Speaker upon his reelection. He took part in the debate on the King's speech, pointing out the views of the Labour party on the industrial situation. Mr. Adamson took a prominent part in the various trade-union discussions in 1919, 1920 and 1921, particularly in the numerous debates on the coal industry in these years.