Maclean, John

Born Aug. 14, 1879; died Oct. 30, 1923. Figure inthe workers’ movement of Great Britain. Teacher by profession.

MacLean joined the Social Democratic Federation in 1903. He maintained an internationalist position during World War I. Active in the movement of the unemployed in Scotland and in the major strike in Glasgow in 1915, he was one of the leaders of the left wing of the British Socialist Party. In 1915 he was editor of the socialist journal Vanguard, which was published in Glasgow. He organized a number of antiwar activities (strikes, demonstrations, and meetings) and participated in the shop steward movement. He was persecuted by the authorities, and served time in prison. He withdrew from active political work during his last years.