Nicholas Donovan and Socialist Party

[Lindon]

Hi All

My Grandfather Nicholas Donovan represented the Indepentant Socialist Party for the 1898 County (or maybe National) election in Birmingham.  He was unsuccessful and I'm told had bricks thown through his windows and hounded out of town being called a communist.
I would think this could have possibly have been reported in the newspapers.  Any ideas as to how I could find out other than going to Birmingham, which I am unable to do.
Thanks
Lindon

[Biko]

Have you tried the socialist party itself? They archive everything. I would start with the Socialist Workers Party newspaper http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/

Also try National Archives

[Lindon]

Thanks Biko, will do as you suggest.

[Jeuel]

I don't think the Socialist Worker's Party was around in 1898.  Are you sure he was an Independent Socialist (as the ISP wasn't formed till 1934) and not just an independent candidate or a member of the Independent Labour Party?

There was no general election in 1898, there was one in 1895 and one in 1900, so it must have been a local election.  Was it for parliament or a local election do you know?

[Biko]

Of course the SWP were not around in that period, but they are very good with labour history(social & political) I just thought they would be able to direct.

Oh and there is also the Peoples History Museam, they have a Labour History archive and study section.

I was also wondering if you know if he was a Union Member if so which one? Maybe that would be a way forward?!?

[Biko]

Jewel. Yes in PM Lindon confirmed it was the ILP

[Sheila Donovan]

Hi my grandad was Nicholas Donovan and was a founder member of the Labour Party in Birmingham he was driven out of town and went to live in Liverpool is this the same person

[Lindon]

Yes, I am sure it must be the same person.  If so we must be cousins!!!!   He went to Liverpool with his wife Edith, my Grandmother, in about 1897, stood for the Labour Party in the local elections in 1902 but was unsuccessful.  Does any of this sound familiar?   

[Sheila Donovan]

Wow Edith was my grannie my dad was Walter her son grandad was a inventor I was born in the house they lived in 98 kiklshaw street which has long gone Only yesterday I met up with my cousin Brenda and she was telling me all about Nicolas when they had the windows smashed Brenda said they stood on the railway platform and nick said the first train that comes in that's were we are going and it was Liverpool he was from county cork I wanted to find out more about him so googled his name and got to here regards Sheila