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Home » Protest and Politics » People » Abraham, William (Mabon) (1842-1922)

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  • A collection of cartoons depicting the south Wales coal strike of 1898 by J. M. Staniforth. These cartoons were originally published in the 'Western Mail' and 'Evening Express' newspapers. Staniforth was born in Cardiff in 1863 and started publishing his cartoons in the 'Western Mail' in 1889. His cartoons became an important feature in the newspaper for several decades to come and provide an interesting commentary on many aspects of Welsh life during this period. The 1898 coal strike was a turning point in the history of labour politics and industrial relations in the south Wales coalfield. The six month stoppage in protest at the operation of the 'sliding scale' resulted in a victory for the coalowners and defeat for the miners under the leadership of William Abraham (Mabon). Following the dispute, the miners rejected his conciliatory style of leadership and in October 1898, seven trade unions came together to form the South Wales Miners' Federation (the Fed).
J. M. Staniforth, 'Cartoons of the Welsh Coal Strike April 1st to Sept 1st 1898' [title page, image 1 of 55]
  • William Abraham (1842-1922), also known by his bardic name of 'Mabon', was the 'Lib-Lab', and later Labour Member of Parliament for the Rhondda from 1885 to 1918, and for Rhondda West from 1918 until 1920. He was the first miner to represent a south Wales constituency in parliament. Before becoming a Member of Parliament, he was a miners' leader and was president of the South Wales Miners' Federation (the Fed) between 1898 until 1912.
'Welsh Members of Parliament', 1894: portrait of Mr. William Abraham [image 7 of 108]