Men of the Time, eleventh edition/Burt, Thomas
BURT, Thomas, M.P., was born Nov. 12, 1837, at Murton Row, near Percy Main, Northumberland, being the son of Peter Burt, a coal-miner. While he was yet a child, seventeen months old, his parents went to Whitley, whence they had to remove about a year afterwards, when the pit was thrown out of gear by an explosion. Their next place of abode was New Row, Seghill, now styled Blake Town, where they remained five years, and at a later period they settled at the Seaton Delaval colliery. Young Burt, who had been working in the coal-pits from an early age, here began that course of self-culture which has gone so far to supply the deficiencies of his previous education. In 1860 he removed to Choppington, and married Mary, daughter of Thomas Weatherburn. In 1865 he was appointed Secretary to the Northumberland Miners' Mutual Association. In this capacity he rendered himself so popular among the miners that it was determined to nominate him as the working class candidate for the representation of Morpeth at the general election of Feb., 1874. He was returned by 3332 votes against 585 given for Captain Duncan, the Conservative candidate. The Northumberland miners have voluntarily taxed themselves to the extent of £500 a year, in order to supply him with the means of supporting the honour of a seat in the House of Commons. In June, 1880, he was elected a member of the Reform Club by the Political Committee, under the rule empowering the body to elect two candidates in each year for marked and obvious services to the Liberal cause. Mr. Burt presided over the Miners' Conference, held at Manchester in Sept., 1882.