William Boyd Hornidge (16 September 1856England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 – January 1909) was a British trade unionist.
Born in London, Hornidge left school before the age of nine.Alan Fox, A History of the National Union of Boot and Shoe Operatives, p.258 In 1876 he became a laster, joining the National Union of Boot and Shoe Riveters and Finishers (NUBSRF), and serving on its London branch committee. However, he struggled to find work an, in search of employment, he moved to Northampton. He became President of its local branch in 1891 and, two years later, was elected General President of the national union. He was known for his commitment to liberalism, and focussed on arbitration as a solution to industrial disputes. He was also active in the National Secular Society."W. B. Hornidge", The Who's Who of Radical Leicester
In 1899, Hornidge narrowly beat Thomas Frederick Richards to become the General Secretary of the renamed National Union of Boot and Shoe Operatives, and he served as President of the Trades Union Congress in 1903.Details of Past Congresses , Trades Union Congress However, he suffered increasingly from bronchial asthma, found difficulty in fulfilling his duties, and was asked to stand down from his union office in late 1908. He died a few months later, aged 52.
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