Frederick William Pethick-Lawrence (December 28 1871 - September 10 1961) was a British Labour politician.

Born Frederick Lawrence, Lawrence was the son of wealthy parents who were Unitarians and members of the Liberal Party. He was educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge University.

Lawrence met and fell in love with Emmiline Pethick, an active socialist and campaigner for women's votes. They finally married after Lawrence converted to socialism and from then on Lawrence took part of his wife's name and was known as 'Pethick-Lawrence.' He published various left wing newspapers and became involved in the Labour Party of Keir Hardie.

Pethick-Lawrence's involvement in Women's Lib and especially Emmeline Pankhurst's window-smashing campaign landed him in prison on a number of occasions. In 1923, he was elected an MP, holding various government posts, and he lost his seat in 1931. He was re-elected in 1935 and in 1942 acted as Leader of the Opposition to the coalition goverment. From 1945-47, he was Secretary of State for India and was involved in the negotiations that led to India's independence in 1947.

External link

• http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUpethick.htm