Sir George Edwards

Born on 5 October 1850 in Marsham, Norfolk, George Edwards grew up in hardship. As a child he experienced the workhouse after his family fell into crisis, and he began farm work very young. He did not attend school in childhood and learned to read and write later in life, helped by his wife, Charlotte.

Edwards became a leading organiser for rural workers and in 1906 founded the National Agricultural Labourers and Rural Workers Union, later known as the National Union of Agricultural and Allied Workers. He was known for tirelessly travelling across the countryside to build support for farm labourers, campaigning for better pay, dignity, and political representation.

He later served as Labour MP for South Norfolk and was knighted, an extraordinary rise for someone who started life as an agricultural labourer. Alongside his political work, his Primitive Methodist faith shaped his public life, and his autobiography, From Crow-Scaring to Westminster, reflects the same directness and resilience that made him such a powerful voice for working people.