Arthur Henderson Biography, Life, Interesting Facts

Considered as a collective individual, Arthur Henderson came to prominence when he joined the Labour Party. It was there that he worked for more than a decade in the British parliament. His political journey is still recalled as one of the most peaceful and diplomatic tenures. Sad to say his biological father died when he was only ten years of age. It was here that poverty and impoverished life encircled his family like a plague. He was forced to drop out of school where he searched for odd jobs to sustain his family’s needs.

Before fame, Henderson served as a metal caster in England. It was in the middle of his service that he developed a knack for debate. Without further ado, he opted to follow his calling where he got a seat as a team leader of trade unions. Subsequently, he came to lead the Labour Party, all thanks to his mild nature. In between his career, I don’t know whether the public embraced his service as Member of Parliament or Foreign Secretary. 

Arthur’s Personality

Arthur Henderson was highly known as a perfectionist at heart. He always had a knack for how things should be done and to whom. Consistency was something that was enclosed in his dictionary. Instead of working on what he had, Arthur pushed himself further to achieve the crème de la crème.

Just like everyone is privileged to have his or her ideas, Arthur wasn’t an exception. He hated to offend others and making mistakes wasn’t his norm. The good thing is that he loved to follow the law to the core. As a result, he knew how to solve his problematic thoughts in a span of time. Above all, his rationality and courageousness gave him a chance to forgo more bureaucratic concerns. 

Childhood and Early Life

On 13th, September 1863 Arthur Henderson was first seen in the world in Glasgow, Scotland. His father, David Henderson worked at a textile company while his mother, Agnes Henderson was known as a hardworking woman. At the age of ten, Arthur’s father breathed his last. As a result, he was forced to look for greener pastures instead of continuing with education. After some time, he was employed as a photographer in a local company. His mother opted to move her family to Newcastle where Henderson joined high school.

At 12 years of age, Arthur Henderson started to work as an apprentice under Robert Stephenson. When not busy, he used to read a wide array of books and trending topics in the political world. His voice made him turn into a preacher in 1870s.

Henderson’s Career

Arthur Henderson's persistence and hard work made him be chosen as the leading member of the trade union by the Friendly Society of Iron Founders. Though he worked diligently, there was no point that Henderson came to approve the frequented strikes.

In the 1900s Arthur joined Labour Representation Committee or LRC. After three years, he was appointed as the treasurer of the said organization. It was also the same year that he got a seat as the Member of Parliament where he won with significant votes in Barnard Castle. Afterward, LRC came to change its name to Labour Party.

In 1908 Arthur Henderson was selected to chair the Labour Party after Keir Hardie’s resignation. In 1915 he was positioned as the member of the British Government cabinet after being appointed as the leading foreman of Board of Education. The following year, Henderson was scheduled as the Minister, but he later resigned in 1917.

From 1919 to 1924 Henderson saw himself as the new Member of Parliament as well as the chief whip of his party. Following his early resignation, he was selected to seat as the Principal Secretary in 1924. He followed it up with a Foreign Secretary role where he quested for peace and harmony.

Before the end of the Great Depression, The British Government targeted to lower the unemployment welfare. As a result, Arthur Henderson chipped in between where he tried to go against the parliament rules. He avoided further disagreements, and another party was formed titled the National Government. Unfortunately, Henderson Party lost tons of seats and Arthur opted to resign as the leading leader of Labour Party.

Arthur Henderson was later reinstated back as an anti-war activist. From 1930 to 1034 he served as the leading member of the Geneva Disarmament Conference.

Arthur’s Personal Life and Achievements

In 1934 Arthur Henderson was awarded Nobel Peace Prize. In 1888 he tied a nuptial knot with Eleanor Watson with whom he fathered one daughter and three sons. It was on 20th, October 1935 that Arthur Henderson was pronounced dead in London, England.