Leonard Sharp (30 January 1902England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007 – 27 June 1972) was a British trade unionist.
Early life Born in Wakefield, then in the West Riding of Yorkshire,"Obituary: Leonard Sharp", Annual Report of the 1972 Trades Union Congress, p.311 Sharp undertook a number of jobs, and was a keen trade unionist, joining first the National Union of Railwaymen, then the National Union of General Workers."Presentation to Mr. L. Sharp", Annual Report of the 1966 Trades Union Congress, p.541 In 1920, he began working in the textile industry, and joined the Amalgamated Society of Dyers, Finishers and Kindred Trades.
Career The Amalgamated Society became part of the National Union of Dyers, Bleachers and Textile Workers (NUDBTW) in 1936, and Sharp gradually rose to prominence, initially through his activities on local trades councils, serving as president of both the Wakefield and Huddersfield councils. In 1955, he was elected as assistant general secretary of the NUDBTW then, two years later, as general secretary. Also in 1957, he was elected to the General Council of the Trades Union Congress and, through this, became involved with the International Labour Organization, serving as the adviser to the British Workers' Delegate.
Retirement Sharp retired in 1966, and was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire.
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