Larkin, James (1876-1947), was an Irish labor union leader and political leader who helped to organize a general strike in Dublin in 1913.
Larkin was born on Jan. 21, 1876, probably in Liverpool, England, but some sources say he was born in Tamnaharry, County Down, Ireland. He became a laborer at the Liverpool docks. Larkin created the Irish Transport and General Workers Union (ITGWU) in 1909, after leaving the British National Union of Dock Labourers. The 1913 strike centered on the right of Dublin workers to belong to the ITGWU. The general strike was unsuccessful, and many of the strikers afterward signed documents renouncing their union membership. But, despite signing, many of them kept up their membership in secret.
On the outbreak of World War I in 1914, Larkin went to the United States. He remained there as a labor union organizer until 1923, when he returned to Ireland. Larkin took a seat in the Dail (parliament) in 1937. He died on Jan. 30, 1947.
