Hardie, Keir (1856-1915), was a pioneer of the British Labour Party. He entered Parliament in 1892. He was largely responsible for the founding of the Independent Labour Party and was its first chairman. In 1900, he helped to found the Labour Party , then known as the Labour Representation Committee. He strove to spread trade unionism and followed a pacifist policy, strongly opposing the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902. He also supported the right of women to vote. James Keir Hardie was born on Aug. 15, 1856, near Holytown, in Strathclyde Region, Scotland.
