Sir William Randal Cremer usually known by his middle name "Randal", was an English Liberal Member of Parliament, a pacifist, and a leading advocate for international arbitration.
Background
Cremer was born to a working-class family in the southern English town of Fareham. His father was a coachman but abandoned the family soon after Randal was born. His mother raised Cremer along with his two sisters, ensuring Randal received an education at a local Methodist school.
Education
The young Cremer was apprenticed as a builder, soon developing into a skilled carpenter.
Career
He was awarded the in 1903 for his work with the international arbitration movement. Randal augmented his knowledge by attending free lectures. Moving to London 1852, Cremer became active as a union organiser, swiftly becoming a recognized labour leader.
Cremer was elected as the Secretary of the International Workingmen"s Association in 1865, but resigned two years later in 1867 as he felt the organisation was becoming too radical.
While heavily involved in campaigning for progressive causes, and respected by Marx, Cremer did not agree with a worker led revolution. From as early as his first unsuccessful run for Parliament in 1868, Cremer had advocated the expansion of international arbitration as peaceful alternative to war for the resolution of disputes.
Using his network of contacts and his talent for organisation, Cremer did much to create and expand institutions for international arbitration, which during his lifetime were successful in peacefully resolving numerous international disputes. This work includes co-founding the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the International Arbitration League.
Gaining acceptance for the 1897 Anglo-American arbitration treaty.
And preparing the ground for the Hague peace conferences of 1899 and 1907. Randal Cremer Primary School, in Haggerston, is named in his honour.
Membership
23rd United Kingdom Parliament. 24th United Kingdom Parliament. 25th United Kingdom Parliament.
27th United Kingdom Parliament.
28th United Kingdom Parliament]
He was elected as Liberal Member of Parliament (Member of Parliament) for Haggerston in the Shoreditch district of Hackney from 1885 to 1895, and from 1900 until his death, from pneumonia in 1908.