# Francis Chandler

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Francis_Chandler
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Francis_Chandler.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Chandler
> Source revision: 1242147848
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

**Francis Chandler** (1849 – 6 October 1937) was a [British](/source/British_people) [trade unionist](/source/Trade_unionist).

Born in [Harrow](/source/Harrow,_London), Chandler became an apprentice [joiner](/source/Joiner) in [Notting Hill](/source/Notting_Hill) at the age of fourteen. On completing the apprenticeship, he joined the [Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners](/source/Amalgamated_Society_of_Carpenters_and_Joiners) (ASC&J). Later in 1872, he became the secretary of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners in its [Hammersmith](/source/Hammersmith) branch.[1]

In 1876, Chandler became secretary of the London United Trades Committee, a body bringing together various building trades unions in the city. The following year, there was a major strike among union members in [Manchester](/source/Manchester), and Chandler co-ordinated fund-raising in London, sending £50 to £60 each week to the striking trade unionists. As a result of his efforts, his health suffered, and he stood down as secretary soon afterwards.[1]

Chandler was also elected to the general council of the ASC&J in 1876,[1] and when the union's general secretary, [J. S. Murchie](/source/J._S._Murchie), died in 1888, he won the election for the post.[2] While in office, Chandler served on the [Royal Commission on the Poor Laws](/source/Royal_Commission_on_the_Poor_Laws_and_Relief_of_Distress_1905%E2%80%9309),[3] signing the [minority report](/source/Minority_report_(Poor_Law)). Chandler also represented the union at the [Trades Union Congress](/source/Trades_Union_Congress) (TUC), serving on the [Parliamentary Committee of the Trades Union Congress](/source/Parliamentary_Committee_of_the_Trades_Union_Congress) on several occasions, and chairing the committee in 1899. He represented the TUC to the [American Federation of Labour](/source/American_Federation_of_Labour) in 1901.

In his spare time, Chandler served on the [Chorlton Board of Guardians](/source/Chorlton_Poor_Law_Union), becoming its chairman in 1906.[2]

Chandler retired in 1919, but maintained his connection with the union and its successor, the [Amalgamated Society of Woodworkers](/source/Amalgamated_Society_of_Woodworkers), which marked his seventy-year-long membership shortly before his death in 1937.[3]

## References

1. Samuel Higenbottam, *Our Society's History*

1. Francis Chandler, *Amalgamated Society of Carpenters & Joiners: History of the Society, 1860-1910*

1. "Mr Francis Chandler", *[Manchester Guardian](/source/Manchester_Guardian)*, 8 October 1937

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Francis Chandler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Chandler) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Chandler?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.