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Joseph Cunningham

1877 – 1965

Northern Irish politician

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About Joseph Cunningham

Lived 1877 – 1965 (aged 87–88). Joseph Cunningham was a politician.

Joseph Cunningham (1877–July 1965) was a Belfast trade unionist and an Ulster Unionist politician in Northern Ireland.

Cunningham worked as a fitter in the Harland & Wolff shipyard Belfast, and was prominent in the local branch of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers. In 1912, he voted against the union paying a levy to the Labour Party, which supported Irish Home Rule, and was the only delegate to a union conference not to join a protest against the imprisonment of Tom Mann.

Cunningham was both a unionist and an Orangeman, joining the Mechanics' 1200 Loyal Orange Lodge, Clifton St., Belfast, and eventually being elected Orange Order county grand master of Belfast (1948–51) and deputy grand master of Ireland.

Having been a founder member in 1918, and subsequently chairman, of the Ulster Unionist Labour Association, in 1921 he nominated by the new Northern Ireland Prime Minister, James Craig, to the first Senate of Northern Ireland. He became the longest-serving senator, remaining in post until his death in 1965.

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Important facts

Born
1877
Birth century
Died
1965
Occupation
Positions held
Member of the Senate of Northern Ireland

People in Joseph Cunningham's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Joseph Cunningham's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Joseph Cunningham?

Northern Irish politician

When was Joseph Cunningham born?

Joseph Cunningham was born in 1877.

When did Joseph Cunningham die?

Joseph Cunningham died in 1965.

What was Joseph Cunningham's occupation?

Joseph Cunningham was a politician.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Joseph Cunningham

· Wikidata: Q6282381

· DBpedia: Joseph Cunningham (Northern Ireland politician)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Joseph Cunningham. https://biography.guide/joseph-cunningham/

MLA: "Joseph Cunningham." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/joseph-cunningham/.

Chicago: "Joseph Cunningham." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/joseph-cunningham/.

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