JOSEPH

See also:

• ARCH
• JOSEPH ARCH (1826– )

ARCH (1826– )  , English politician, founder of the National Agricultural Labourers' Union, was born at Barford,a village in Warwickshire, on the roth of November 1826 . His parents belonged to the labouring class . He inherited a strong sentiment of independence from his mother; and his objections to the social homage expected by those whom the catechism boldly styled his " betters " made him an " agitator." Having educated himself by unremitting exertions, and acquired fluency of speech as a Methodist local preacher, he founded in 1872 the National Agricultural Labourers' Union, of which he was president . A rise then came in the wages of agricultural labourers, but this had the unforeseen effect of destroying the union; for the labourers, deeming their object gained, ceased to agitate." Mr Arch nevertheless retained sufficient popularity to be re-turned to parliament for north-west Norfolk in 1885; and although defeated next year owing to his advocacy of Irish Home Rule, he regained his seat in 1892, and held it in 1895, retiring in 1900 . He was deservedly respected in the House of Commons; seldom has an agitator been so little of a demagogue . A biography written by himself or under his direction, and edited by Lady Warwick (1898), tells the story of his career .