James Moir was a tea merchant in the Gallowgate, and a town councillor.
Moir's brother Benjamin was transported for his role in the Radical Rising of 1820, and James became well known for championing radical causes. He became a Chartist during the 1830s, campaigning for universal suffrage and political reform. He was elected a police commissioner, and in 1848 defeated Lord Provost Alexander Hastie in a municipal election.
As a councillor, Moir was a vigorous campaigner for social reform and a guardian of the interests of the East End, at a time when there was disquiet about the growing influence of the middle class suburbs in the west of the city. The Bailie mocked his earnest manner, giving him the nickname "Rory O'Bore."
In 1866 the elderly Moir became President of the Scottish National Reform League.
Reference: Mitchell Library, 920.04BAI
Reproduced with the permission of Glasgow City Council, Libraries Information and Learning
Keywords:
Chartists, councillors, Radical Rising, radicals, Scottish National Reform League, social reform, social reformers, tea merchants
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