John Forman

John Forman (c. 1823–2 September 1900) was a British trade unionist and President of the Durham Miners' Association (1871-1900).

Early life John Forman was born at East Allerdean and baptised (with his twin sister Mary) in nearby St. Anne's church, Ancroft in Northumberland. The family moved to nearby Seaton Delaval where he was educated and became a coal miner at an early age. He "made use of every available opportunity to improve his mind and his station in life".

Union Activities Whilst in Annfield Plain, he became involved in the labour movement He moved to Roddymoor (near Crook) in County Durham, where he was elected checkweighman at Grahamsley Colliery. "In this capacity, as representative of the Crook miners he was actively identified with the earliest endeavors of the Durham mineworkers to form a trade union".

Memorials

There is a blue plaque on his house at 16 Mowbray Street, Durham which reads: "John Forman b1823 d 1900. Played a central role in forming the Durham Miners' Association, founded in 1869. One of its first agents and president from 1872 until his death. Lived here 1882-1900."

A statue of John Forman was raised outside the original Durham Miners' Hall in North Road in June 1905 and a eulogy was given by John Wilson (Mid Durham MP); it was moved to the new Durham Miners' Hall site at Redhills in 1916 where it remains.