Researching James Crawford

He was born in County Cavan, Ireland in 1816, the oldest son of George Crawford, and came to Upper Canada with his family during the 1820s. Crawford served in Cornwall, Ontario during the Upper Canada Rebellion and was a member of the Incorporated Militia of Upper Canada for several years. He served as lieutenant-colonel in the local militia from 1866 to 1871. Crawford was a contractor involved in the construction of several canals on the Saint Lawrence River.

Crawford married a Miss Harris. He died in Brockville at the age of 62.

His brother John served as Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario.

Crawford first went to sea aboard merchant vessels, trading with North America, before joining the navy during the American War of Independence. He saw action on shore on several occasions, distinguishing himself in the defence of Savannah and the siege of Charleston. Returning from North America with despatches, he was given a hired ship and acted in support of the British defences during the Great Siege of Gibraltar. During this conflict he was heavily engaged on numerous occasions with Spanish gunboats, and came to the attention of Roger Curtis, later to become a prominent naval officer. After a period of unemployment following the end of the American War of Independence, Curtis saw to it that Crawford was offered a position in the fleet during the Spanish Armament. When war was averted, Crawford went out to the East Indies for several years on personal business.

While returning to Britain after the outbreak of the French Revolutionary Wars, Crawford's ship was captured by the French. He was kept as a prisoner of war until 1797, when he was able to return to the navy and joined the flagship of his old patron, Sir Roger Curtis. After two years in this post, he was given his own ship, which he commanded until the end of the French Revolutionary Wars. Promoted to post-captain in 1802, he was again unemployed for a time, until being given command of various frigates, at first supporting the Spanish in the Peninsular War, but later being sent to the East Indies. Here Crawford took part in the Invasion of Java in 1811, before returning to Britain. He went on half-pay as the wars with France drew to a close, and died, still a post-captain, in 1828.

Crawford was born in Manchester, England in 1908 and arrived in Australia in 1924. As a playwright, Crawford was influenced by William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe. He was also greatly influenced by the Communist Party of Australia and the ideals it stood for. In an article written by Crawford about Elizabethan Theatre he wrote that "In the Elizabethan Theatre, Marlowe spoke with the voice of the radical intellectual. Shakespeare spoke with the voice of the people." From the themes of the plays written by Crawford it is clear he has tried to emulate both Marlowe and Shakespeare.Crawford was an important member of the Roving Reds Revue Company, New Theatre Club and Realist Writers Group. He also made contributions to several other groups. Crawford also spent time in the Army Services after marrying Ursula Hills in 1938. After his divorce from Ursula, Crawford married Pamela Crawford (née Seeman) in 1949. Crawford continued writing right up until his death at Greenslopes Hospital on 11 November 1973.

Sandra Dallas said in Gaslights and Gingerbread, "Americantradition likes to believe the West was settled by honest brave men,not by greedy, grubbing miners as it often was, but by men with avision, pioneers with a dream. Steamboat Springs was founded byjust such a man, James H. Crawford."

Crawford attended Carrick Academy in Maybole before serving in World War I, with both the Highland Light Infantry, and the Cameronians. He joined the Labour Party, serving on Glasgow City Council from 1930 until 1938. At the 1935 United Kingdom general election, he stood unsuccessfully in Kilmarnock.

Crawford was active in the National Union of Boot and Shoe Operatives (NUBSO), and was elected as its President in 1944. He became known as an expert on automation, and he led policy development on this across the entire trade union movement once he was elected to the General Council of the Trades Union Congress in 1949. In 1950, he was appointed to the Advisory Council of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, and from 1955 served on the British Productivity Council. He joined the National Coal Board as a part-time member in 1956 then, the following year, resigned all his existing positions to become a full-time member, with special responsibility for industrial relations. His appointment was unpopular with the National Union of Mineworkers and the National Association of Colliery Overmen, Deputies and Shotfirers, who had hoped one of their own officials would win the role.

Crawford retired in 1962, and was succeeded on the National Coal Board by Bill Webber.