Charles Freak

Charles Freak (1847 – 28 July 1910) was a British trade unionist and politician.

Born in Southampton, Freak worked as a laster. He spent several years working in the United States, but returned to the United Kingdom in the early 1870s, and joined the new National Union of Boot and Shoe Operatives (NUBSO).[1] He soon came to prominent in the union, representing it at the Trades Union Congress.[2] In 1879, he became the full-time secretary of the union's London Metropolitan branch, later moving to become the branch president.[1]

In 1892, Freak was elected as a Labour Progressive member of London County Council in Bethnal Green North East, one of the first eight Labour members of the council. He held the seat in 1895 and 1898, but lost it in 1901.

In 1899, Freak was elected as the General President of NUBSO, holding the post until his death. He relocated to Leicester, and in 1904 was elected to Leicester Town Council. He was also a member of the council of the International Arbitration League.[2] He frequently clashed with general secretary William Inskip, despite both being on the right wing of the union, and for example, he strongly opposed Inskip's proposal of a "fighting fund" levy on members.[1]

Freak was known for his distinctive old-fashioned style of dress, wearing a long beard and frock coat.[1]

References

1. Fox, Alan (1958). A History of the National Union of Boot and Shoe Operatives: 1874-1957. Oxford: Basil Blackwell. p. 259.
2. Report of the 1910 Annual Trades Union Congress, p.85

Trade union offices
Preceded by W. Boyd Hornidge	General President of the National Union of Boot and Shoe Operatives 1899 – 1910	Succeeded by Thomas Frederick Richards