Ellen Wilkinson: From Red Suffragist to Government Minister (Revolutionary Lives)

Ellen Wilkinson was a key radical figure in the 20th century British socialist and feminist movement, a woman of passionate energy who was involved in most of the major struggles of her time. Born in October 1891 into a working-class textile family, Wilkinson was involved in women's suffrage, helped found the British Communist Party, led the Labour Party's anti-fascist campaign, headed the iconic Jarrow Crusade and was the first female Minister of Education. In this lively and engaging biography, Paula Bartley charts the political life of this extraordinary campaigner who went from street agitator to government minister whilst keeping her principles intact. Annotation Ellen Wilkinson was a key radical figure in the 20th century British socialist and feminist movement, a woman of passionate energy who was involved in most of the major struggles of her time. Born in October 1891 into a working-class textile family, Wilkinson was involved in women's suffrage, helped found the British Communist Party, led the Labour Party's anti-fascist campaign, headed the iconic Jarrow Crusade and was the first female Minister of Education. In this lively and engaging biography, Paula Bartley charts the political life of this extraordinary campaigner who went from street agitator to government minister whilst keeping her principles intact Intro -- Half-title Page -- Title Page -- Copyright -- Contents -- List of Illustrations -- Acknowledgements -- Preface -- 1. The Making of 'Red Ellen', 1891-1914 -- 2. The First World War and its Aftermath, 1914-24 -- 3. On the Opposition Benches, 1924-29 -- 4. In and Out of Power, 1929-35 -- 5. Fighting Fascism and Imperialism in the 1930s -- 6. In Parliament Again, 1935-39 -- 7. The Second World War, 1939-45 -- 8. Post-war, 1945-47 -- Conclusion -- Notes -- Index Cover 1 Contents 8 List of Illustrations 9 Acknowledgements 10 Preface 12 1. The Making of 'Red Ellen', 1891-1914 16 2. The First World War and its Aftermath, 1914-24 25 3. On the Opposition Benches, 1924-29 43 4. In and Out of Power, 1929-35 62 5. Fighting Fascism and Imperialism in the 1930s 81 6. In Parliament Again, 1935-39 100 7. The Second World War, 1939-45 116 8. Post-war, 1945-47 130 Conclusion 147 Notes 155 Index 165 Charts the life and career of notable socialist, suffragist and Labour government minister, Ellen Wilkinson.