Robert Spence Watson
Encyclopedia
Robert Spence Watson was a solicitor, reformer, politician and writer. He became famous for pioneering labour arbitration
s.
On the 9th June 1863 he married Elizabeth Spence Watson.
He was one of the original convenors of the National Liberal Federation
in 1877, and was its president from 1890 until 1902.
He helped to found the Durham College of Science in 1871, later to become Armstrong College
and part of Newcastle University.
From 1890 till 1911 Watson was the president of the Society of Friends of Russian Freedom. He contributed much to the society's printed organ "Free Russia".
He published The History of English Rule and Policy in South Africa in 1897, and joined the South Africa Conciliation Committee
.
In 1995 a blue commemorative plaque
was erected outside his home.
Arbitration
Arbitration, a form of alternative dispute resolution , is a legal technique for the resolution of disputes outside the courts, where the parties to a dispute refer it to one or more persons , by whose decision they agree to be bound...
s.
On the 9th June 1863 he married Elizabeth Spence Watson.
He was one of the original convenors of the National Liberal Federation
National Liberal Federation
The National Liberal Federation was the union of all English and Welsh Liberal Associations. It held an annual conference which was regarded as being representative of the opinion of the party’s rank and file and was broadly the equivalent of a present-day party conference.-Foundation:The...
in 1877, and was its president from 1890 until 1902.
He helped to found the Durham College of Science in 1871, later to become Armstrong College
Armstrong College
Armstrong College may refer to:* Armstrong Atlantic State University, formerly known as Armstrong College* Armstrong College, a former college of Durham University* Armstrong College, a former college in Berkeley, California...
and part of Newcastle University.
From 1890 till 1911 Watson was the president of the Society of Friends of Russian Freedom. He contributed much to the society's printed organ "Free Russia".
He published The History of English Rule and Policy in South Africa in 1897, and joined the South Africa Conciliation Committee
South Africa Conciliation Committee
The South Africa Conciliation Committee was a British anti-war organisation that opposed the Second Boer War.It was formed in 1899 in response to the outbreak of the war, for the "dissemination of accurate information" on the war, and to seek an early "peaceable settlement between this country and...
.
In 1995 a blue commemorative plaque
Blue plaque
A blue plaque is a permanent sign installed in a public place to commemorate a link between that location and a famous person or event, serving as a historical marker....
was erected outside his home.
Sources
- The Life of Robert Spence Watson, by Percy Corder, published 1914 by Headley Bros.
- Entry on Robert Spence Watson, on Ben Beck's website
- Entry on Robert Spence Watson, on the website of Watson Burton, the law firm of which he was a founding partner