Burns, John (1858-1943), a British politician and labor leader, was the first person from a working-class family to become a member of the British Cabinet. The Cabinet is the group of ministers who lead the government of the United Kingdom. Burns served in the Cabinet as the president of the Local Government Board from 1905 to 1914. He resigned his appointment, because he believed that World War I (1914-1918) could have been avoided. Burns was born in London on Oct. 20, 1858. He began work in a candle factory at the age of 10. He played a prominent part in the London dock strike of 1889, helping dockers win a minimum wage. He served in Parliament from 1892 to 1918. He died in London on Jan. 24, 1943.
