Calls have been made for a permanent commemoration to the legendary socialist politician John Maclean to mark the 100th anniversary of his passing.
John Maclean was a school teacher, Red Clydesider and founder member of the Pollokshaws Progressive Union – an organisation which discussed issues such as socialism, anarchism, the natural sciences and general social problems.
He was just 44 years old when he died in 1923
In a motion at Thursday’s full council meeting, members of the city’s SNP administration will propose that work be carried out to explore how best to recognise Maclean, who they argue is one of the most significant figures in 20th-century Glasgow.
READ MORE: Scotland falls silent to remember lives lost during Covid pandemic
November marks a century since Maclean died. As well as being committed to a Scottish socialist republic, he had been known and regarded by revolutionary leaders across Europe.
A memorial cairn was unveiled in 1973 to mark the 50th anniversary of Maclean’s death but councillors are concerned about the likelihood of it being moved, even if that’s only temporary.
The plan for a permanent memorial has been put forward by councillor Sean Ferguson, whose ward includes the Pollokshaws area where Maclean was born and died.
Councillor Ferguson is proposing that Maclean’s life be reflected in some of the regeneration work being carried out in Pollokshaws, with a decision then taken in time for the St Andrew’s day anniversary of his death.
The motion being presented later this week states: “Council acknowledges the forthcoming centenary of the death of John MacLean, teacher and campaigner on behalf of working people and their families.
“Council recognises that MacLean closely identified with this city, whose boundaries he expressed a wish to see expanded further to match the economic and social challenges facing residents across the Clyde valley.”
Maclean was born in Pollokshaws, then part of Renfrewshire, on 14th August 1879. He died on 30th November 1923, in Pollokshaws, which had been incorporated into Glasgow in 1912.
Speaking about the motion councillor Ferguson said: “Regardless of your political outlook or how history now views the events of the 1910s and 1920s, John Maclean was a hugely important figure in the public life of Glasgow at a crucial time in its history.
“And, a 100 years on, he remains one of the most significant individuals in the history of modern Glasgow, if not Scotland.
“It’s entirely appropriate that he be remembered in the city in which he played such an important part. I want to see the City Council take a lead on this.
“Right now, it’s up for discussion how we do that. But it is entirely fitting that he should be remembered in the neighbourhood where he was born and died and where the ongoing regeneration work gives us an opportunity to do just that.
“That could be a street name or a new piece of public realm. But I’d hope over the next six months we can come to an agreement on what that should be and commit to a proper recognition of this important part of our shared history.”
READ MORE: 'Some wummin': Tommy Sheridan pays tribute to mum after she dies in fire
Born to Gaelic-speaking parents who originally hailed from the Highlands, MacLean was a teacher, who made his name as a campaigner on issues from the sale of contaminated meat through to housing, poverty, and workers’ rights.
MacLean’s parents had relocated to the West of Scotland because their families were forced from their homes by highland and island landowners. His father died of an industrial disease when MacLean was just 8 years old
He was recognised during his lifetime by figures as diverse as Lenin, Sylvia Pankhurst and his opposition to the First World War and critical role in building the foundations of Red Clydeside brought him to the attention of the British Government.
MacLean was imprisoned on multiple occasions for expressing his views and for a period in Peterhead Prison was force-fed, to the detriment of his health. The huge turnout at his funeral cemented his place as an icon of Scottish socialism.
Despite his early death, Maclean is celebrated in literature, music and verse to this day, testament to his impact on the consciousness of people in Glasgow and beyond.
Councillor Ferguson added: “Maclean would struggle to recognise much of the Glasgow of today.
“What he would recognise though are the struggles of ordinary people, trying to keep their heads above water in the midst of the worst cost-of-living crisis in generations and also the city’s emphasis on education as a route to better lives for individuals and communities.
“Recognition of Maclean couldn’t be more timely.”
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules here