Michael Austin (politician)

Michael Austin (1855 – 18 February 1916) was an Irish politician and trade unionist.

Born in Cork, Austin was educated at a Christian Brothers school before completing an apprenticeship as a compositor.^[1] He was a leading member of the Cork Trades Council, and in 1890 was the founding secretary of the Irish Democratic Trade and Labour Federation, a body which aimed to bring about the political representation of workers in rural areas of Ireland.^[2]

The Federation's other leading member was Michael Davitt, and he persuaded the anti-Parnellite Irish National Federation to stand Austin and Eugene Crean as two trade union candidates in the 1892 general election.^[2][3] Austin was elected for West Limerick, and held his seat at the 1895 general election, standing down in 1900. While in Parliament, he served on the Royal Commission on Labour.^[1] The Federation could not retain his energies after election to parliament, resulting in its discipitation. ^[2]