• Thomas Johnson, (1872 – 1963), trade unionist and politician, was born in Liverpool.
• He moved to Ireland in the 1890s where he became involved in trade unions and Labour politics.
• At various times he was the president, treasurer and secretary of the Irish Trade Union Congress which was, at that time, also the Labour Party in Ireland.
• He also campaigned against conscription in Ireland.
• Johnson’s Labour Party controversially decided not to contest the 1918 general election. Consequently the first general election he contested was in 1922 where he won a seat in Dublin. He took his seat, thus legitimising the Irish Free State and by doing so antagonised the anti-treaty party.

The collections can be consulted by the students and staff of UCD, and by external users, in the Special Collections Reading Room.

Find books in the collection:

• Go to the Library catalogue
• Click on Advanced Search and select Author from the drop-down menu
• Insert Johnson in the search box
• Select Special Collections from the Collection drop-down menu.

Find more information on Thomas Johnson:

• Thomas Johnson in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (UCD only).
• Gaughan, J. A. (1980) Thomas Johnson 1872-1963. Dublin: Kingdom Books, shelved on Level 2 of James Joyce Library at 941.5082 JOH.