Keir Hardie speaking at a peace rally in Trafalgar Square, 2nd August, 1914. Artist: S and G

---

Keir Hardie speaking at a peace rally in Trafalgar Square, London, 2 August, 1914. James Keir Hardie (1856-1915) was a Scottish trade unionist and politician. A founder member of the Labour Party, he served as Member of Parliament for West Ham from 1892-1895 and Merthyr Tydfil from 1900-1915. As well as championing wokers' rights, he was also a prominent supporter of the suffragettes' campaign for votes for women. A pacifist, Hardie was vehemently opposed to the First World War and unsuccessfully attempted, in collaboration with socialists in other countries, to organise a general strike to stop the conflict. He spoke against the war at demonstrations across Britain and supported the stance of conscientious objectors.

---

Size: 4153px × 2551px
Location: World,Europe,United Kingdom,England,Greater London,London,City of Westminster,Westminster
Photo credit: © Historica Graphica Collection/Heritage Images / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: &, /, 1910s, 20th, audience, beard, bearded, black, body, britain, british, century, class, concept, country, crowds, england, event, founder, hardie, keir, labour, listening, location, london, monochrome, mp, party, people, pointing, political, politician, politics, rally, scotland, scots, scottish, socialist, speaking, speech, square, trade, trafalgar, war, westminster, white, working, working-class, world, wwi