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William D. Robinson (22 May 1826 – 7 November 1890) was a locomotive engineer who founded the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE) on 8 May 1863 during the American Civil War. The BLE has been called America’s earliest labor union. Robinson traveled widely and oversaw rapid growth in the union's first sixteen months. After a disastrous strike he was forced to resign in August 1864, and did not hold office again, although he remained active in union affairs until his death. ==Early years== William D. Robinson was born on 22 May 1826. He started work as a fireman in 1846, and was promoted to locomotive engineer in 1846. He was employed by the New Albany & Salem Railroad. On 6-9 November 1855 a convention of locomotive engineers was held in Baltimore at which it was agreed to form a "National Protective Association of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers of the United States." Benjamin Hoxie was elected President, and William D. Robinson secretary. The organization held a number of meetings up to the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861, but did not make much progress. The New Albany & Salem Railroad ran into financial difficulties and was having trouble meeting payroll. In the fall of 1862 Robinson's friend J.C. Thompson arranged for him to be hired by the Michigan Central Railroad, and he moved to Detroit. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「William D. Robinson」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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