Robinson Graham

Robinson Graham (1878 – 13 May 1953) was a British trade unionist and politician.

Robinson Graham
Member of Parliament for Nelson and Colne
In office June 1920 – October 1922
Preceded by	Albert Smith
Succeeded by	Arthur Greenwood
Personal details
Born	1878 Burnley, Lancashire
Died	13 May 1953(1953-05-13) (aged 74–75) Burnley, Lancashire
Political party	Labour

Born in Burnley, Graham became a weaver and was active in the Burnley Weavers' Association, becoming its assistant secretary in 1911 and serving for many years.^[1] He was also active in Labour Party, for whom he stood in the 1920 Nelson and Colne by-election.^[2] He won the seat,^[3] but fell out with the United Textile Factory Workers' Association, which was sponsoring his candidacy, and the Labour Party leadership, and was pressured into standing down at the 1922 general election.^[2][4] He was only one of two Labour MPs to not seek re-election.^[5] He concentrated on his trade union office; in 1941, he became secretary of the Burnley Weavers, serving until 1947.^[3]

Towards the end of his life, Graham developed loss of sight and became depressed after his wife died.^[6] He died on 13 May 1953^[7] from inhalation of coal gas.^[6]