1-152-234 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Joseph Arch (1826-1919), English agricultural worker, trade unionist and politician. Arch was the founder of the National Union of Farm Labourers. The Union was established in 1872 and within two years had 86,000 members, 10% of the British agricultural workforce. Cartoon from Vanity Fair, London, 1886, when Arch became Liberal Member of Parliament for North West Norfolk. He was the first farm labourer to be elected an MP. Cartoon from Punch portraying Arch greeting the Bishop of Manchester, who supported the Union in a letter to The Times.