The grave of Frederick Rogers (27 April 1846 – 16 November 1915) in Nunhead Cemetery, South-East London. Rogers was an autodidact, having left school at ten years old, and was described in his mature years by a colleague as "the most scholarly man I know in the Labour movement". He was the first Chair of the Labour Representation Committee from which the UK Labour Party traces its origins. As a Trades Unionist, an advocate of adult education and his position as Chair of the Labour Representation Committee, he was appointed Secretary to the "National Committee of Organised Labour for Promoting the Old Age Pension for All". For ten years he spoke around the country promoting the creation of a state pensions provision.
The Rev. Francis Herbert Stead, also an advocate of Old Age Pensions, said of him, "He was indefatigable. He passed to and fro throughout the country like a flame of fire, kindling everywhere an enthusiasm responsive to his own. Wherever men asked to hear about pensions, there Mr Rogers went, eloquent, stimulating, conclusive." Eventually the work promoting pensions was successful and the Old Age Pensions Act 1908 was passed by government.
The Bloggist tips his hat to Mr Rogers and thanks him for all he achieved.
