James Larkin, also known as Jim Larkin or Big Jim, was an influential Irish trade union leader and social activist. Born in January 1876 in Liverpool, England, Larkin played a significant role in the late nineteenth and early twentieth-century labor movement in both Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Larkin is best known for founding the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union (ITGWU) in 1909, which aimed to improve the working conditions and rights of Irish industrial workers. Under his leadership, the ITGWU grew to become the largest union in Ireland, encompassing various industries such as laborers, dockers, and factory workers.
Notably, Larkin was a key figure in the infamous Dublin Lockout of 1913, where over 20,000 workers went on strike for better conditions and the right to unionize. This event, driven by Larkin's fervent advocacy, was the largest industrial dispute in Irish history. Despite not achieving all its goals, the strike did bring the issue of worker mistreatment to the forefront and paved the way for significant labor reforms in Ireland.
James Larkin's activism extended beyond Ireland, as he also organized unions in England and Scotland. However, his involvement in radical socialist politics, including his affiliation with the Industrial Workers of the World, led to his arrest and subsequent deportation from the United States in 1920.
Larkin's commitment to workers' rights and his tireless efforts to improve conditions for the working class have left a lasting legacy. He is remembered as a charismatic and determined leader who fought tirelessly for social justice, leaving an indelible mark on the labor movement in Ireland and beyond.
