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G. H. Stuart-Bunning

1870 – 1951

British trade union leader

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About G. H. Stuart-Bunning

Lived 1870 – 1951 (aged 80–81). G. H. Stuart-Bunning was a trade unionist.

George Harold Stuart-Bunning (1870–1951), born George Harold Stuart, was a British trade unionist.

Born in Oldham, Stuart became a postman and an activist in the Postmen's Federation. He also became active in the Labour Party, and stood unsuccessfully in York at the 1906 general election, then in the 1908 Dundee by-election. Although this second candidature was endorsed by the Scottish section of the party, its National Executive refused to back him, as the party already held the other Dundee seat, and was concerned that it would over-reach itself. Despite this, Keir Hardie spoke on Stuart's platform, and the Dundee Courier enthusiastically reported his criticisms of the ultimately successful Liberal Party candidate, Winston Churchill.

Stuart soon became the Secretary of the Federation and, in 1912, he was the main figure involved in founding the Civil Service Federation, a combination containing more than 100,000 members. Under his leadership, the Postmen's Federation opened up membership to women. Duncan Campbell-Smith describes him as the "single most impressive officer among all the postal union staffs", and he was centrally involved in the formation of the Union of Post Office Workers.

Stuart stood for Parliament again at the 1914 North West Durham by-election, and once more lost to the Liberal candidate. His politics developed over time; at the time of the Dundee election, he was criticised for speaking too little about socialism and for not holding membership of the Independent Labour Party (ILP),

Stuart altered his surname to "Stuart-Bunning" in deference to his uncle, Theodore Bunning, manager of the Beeston Brewery. He served as President of the Trades Union Congress in 1919, but became involved in various disputes, and resigned all his trade union positions later in the year. He instead became the British Labour representative to the International Labour Organization.

Stuart-Bunning was awarded the OBE and was appointed as Chevalier of the Order of the Crown of Belgium. He also served as a Justice of the Peace. In 1928, Stuart-Bunning was appointed as an executor of Theodore Bunning's estate, and he received a large inheritance.

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Important facts

Born
1870
Birth century
Died
1951
Occupation
Also known as
George Harold Stuart-Bunning

People in G. H. Stuart-Bunning's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped G. H. Stuart-Bunning's

Frequently asked questions

Who was G. H. Stuart-Bunning?

British trade union leader

When was G. H. Stuart-Bunning born?

G. H. Stuart-Bunning was born in 1870.

When did G. H. Stuart-Bunning die?

G. H. Stuart-Bunning died in 1951.

What was G. H. Stuart-Bunning's occupation?

G. H. Stuart-Bunning was a trade unionist.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: G. H. Stuart-Bunning

· Wikidata: Q5512260

· DBpedia: G. H. Stuart-Bunning

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). G. H. Stuart-Bunning. https://biography.guide/g-h-stuart-bunning/

MLA: "G. H. Stuart-Bunning." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/g-h-stuart-bunning/.

Chicago: "G. H. Stuart-Bunning." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/g-h-stuart-bunning/.

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