Robert Skirrow Danter (1824 or 1825 –1893) was an early

British British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories, and Crown Dependencies. ** Britishness, the British identity and common culture * British English ...

trade unionist A trade union (labor union in American English), often simply referred to as a union, is an organization of workers intent on "maintaining or improving the conditions of their employment", ch. I such as attaining better wages and benefits ( ...

. Danter worked as an engine smith. He came to prominence in the

Amalgamated Society of Engineers The Amalgamated Society of Engineers (ASE) was a major British trade union, representing factory workers and mechanics. History The history of the union can be traced back to the formation of the Journeymen Steam Engine, Machine Makers' and Mi ...

(ASE), where he served as chairman of the executive in the 1860s. He became associated with the "

Junta Junta may refer to: Government and military * Junta (governing body) (from Spanish), the name of various historical and current governments and governing institutions, including civil ones ** Military junta, one form of junta, government led by ...

", an informal council of leading trade unionists,M. C. Curthoys,
Junta (act. 1862–1871)
, ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'' and was also elected as chairman of the

London Trades Council The London Trades Council was an early labour organisation, uniting London's trade unionists. Its modern successor organisation is the Greater London Association of Trades (Union) Councils History Leading figures in the London trade union mo ...

. Danter was sent by the ASE to investigate the

Sheffield Outrages The Sheffield Outrages were a series of explosions and murders by a small group of trade unionist militants carried out in Sheffield, England in the 1860s. Sheffield's early success in steel production had involved long working hours, in condition ...

. In his spare time, along with William Allan and William Newton, he supported the

Labour Representation League The Labour Representation League (LRL), organised in November 1869, was a forerunner of the British Labour Party. Its original purpose was to register the working class to vote, and get workers into Parliament. It had limited power, describe ...

and lobbied Parliament for measures which he believed would support the trade union movement. By 1868, Danter had been replaced as chair of the ASE by W. Robson. In 1872, he and Charles Temple were awarded a patent for "an improved union, joint or coupling for hose and other pipes".

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Danter, Robert 1820s births 1893 deaths Presidents of the Amalgamated Engineering Union