Background
Adamson was born in Dunfermline, Fife, and was educated at a local dame school.
Adamson was born in Dunfermline, Fife, and was educated at a local dame school.
He was Leader of the Labour Party between 1917 and 1921 and served as Secretary of State for Scotland in 1924 and between 1929 and 1931 in the first two Labour administrations headed by Ramsay MacDonald. He worked as a miner in Fife where he became involved with the National Union of Mineworkers. Between 1902 and 1908 he was Assistant Secretary of the Fife and Kinross Miners" Association, and he thereafter served as its General Secretary.
In 1918 he was sworn of the Privy Council.
He served as Secretary for Scotland and Secretary of State for Scotland in 1924 and between 1929 and 1931 in the Labour governments of Ramsay MacDonald. However, he split with MacDonald after the formation of the National Government.
Adamson lost his seat in the 1931 election which he contested for Labour against MacDonald"s coalition. He stood again in the 1935 election but again failed to take the seat, losing on this occasion to William Gallacher of the Communist Party of Great Britain.
Active with the new Labour Party, Adamson was first elected to Parliament for West Fife in the December 1910 general election and became leader of the party in 1917, a position he held until 1921.
30th United Kingdom Parliament. 31st United Kingdom Parliament. 32nd United Kingdom Parliament.
33rd United Kingdom Parliament.
34th United Kingdom Parliament. 35th United Kingdom Parliament.