Career
Coulson came to prominence as the leader of the Operative Bricklayers" Society, serving as its from 1860 to 1891. This consisted of a small committee which aimed to cautiously advance the cause of trade unionism. Although Coulson was a radical, and encouraged his union to support candidates in elections who were in favour of Parliamentary reform or represented the labour movement, he was opposed to any formal political involvement by trade unions.
Coulson did pledge his union"s support for the Reform League, and even served on the council of the International Workingmen"s Association in 1865/6.
Coulson devoted much of his time to running his trade union. When the treasurer of the Shoreditch branch absconded with its funds, he organised a search for the individual, and once he was captured, Coulson placed adverts informing the public of the prison sentence he had received.
He used his presidential address to denounce wars resulting from British imperialism.
