Harry Pollitt

Harry Pollitt (1890 - 1960) was the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Great Britain. He was born in Droylsden in Lancashire.

In 1919 he was involved in the Hands off Russia campaign to protest against western intervention in the Russian Civil War.

He joined the communist party in 1920 and in 1925 was jailed for 12 months for seditious libel. In 1929 the CPGB elected him General Secretary, a position he held until 1956. He was then made Chairman which lasted until his death 4 years later.

In 1971 the Soviet Union named a ship after him. He has also been commemorated in the humorous song The Ballad Of Harry Pollitt.