Alf Morris facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord Morris of Manchester
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Alf Morris (1965)
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| Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Disablement | |
| In office 11 March 1974 – 4 May 1979 |
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| Prime Minister | |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Reg Prentice (as Minister of State) |
| Member of the House of Lords Lord Temporal |
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| In office 6 October 1997 – 12 August 2012 Life peerage |
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| Member of Parliament for Manchester Wythenshawe |
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| In office 15 October 1964 – 8 April 1997 |
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| Preceded by | Eveline Hill |
| Succeeded by | Constituency abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Alfred Morris
23 March 1928 Manchester, England |
| Died | 12 August 2012 (aged 84) |
| Political party | Labour and Co-operative |
| Spouse |
Irene Jones
(m. 1950) |
| Children | 4 |
| Relatives |
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Alfred Morris, Baron Morris of Manchester, was a very important British politician. He was born on March 23, 1928, and passed away on August 12, 2012. He was a member of the Labour Co-operative political party. Lord Morris was famous for being a strong supporter of disability rights. He worked hard to make life better for people with disabilities.
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Working in Politics
Alfred Morris became a Member of Parliament (MP) for Manchester Wythenshawe. He served in this role from 1964 until 1997. An MP is someone elected by the public to represent them in the House of Commons.
Making History for Disabled People
In 1970, Alfred Morris helped create a very important law. It was called the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act. This law was the first of its kind anywhere in the world. It officially recognized and gave rights to people with disabilities. This was a huge step forward!
Because of his hard work, in 1974, he became the world's first Minister for the Disabled. This meant he was the first government official anywhere whose main job was to look after the needs and rights of disabled people. He continued to fight for their rights throughout his career. For example, in 1991, he tried to pass a Civil Rights (Disabled Persons) Bill. He also helped people affected by Gulf War Syndrome.
Becoming a Lord
After leaving the House of Commons in 1997, Alfred Morris was given a special honour. He became a life peer, which means he was made a member of the House of Lords. He was known as Lord Morris of Manchester. He continued to work in the House of Lords until 2012.
His Early Life
Alfred Morris grew up in Ancoats, a part of Manchester, England. His family was not wealthy. He was one of eight children.
He went to Brookdale Park School. He also took evening classes to continue his education. At just 14 years old, he started working as a clerk at a local brewery.
Why He Championed Disability Rights
Alfred Morris's father was a soldier in the First World War. He was injured during the war, losing an eye and a leg, and was also affected by gas. His health slowly got worse because of these injuries. After his father passed away, Alfred's mother did not receive a war widow's pension.
This experience deeply affected Alfred. It made him passionate about helping people with disabilities. Years later, when he became the first Minister for the Disabled, he changed the law. This change made sure that families like his own would receive the support they deserved.
Education and Work Before Parliament
From 1946 to 1948, Alfred Morris served in the army. He spent most of this time in the Middle East. After his military service, he went to college. He studied at Ruskin College, Oxford and St Catherine's College, Oxford. He also studied at the Department of Education, Manchester University.
Before becoming an MP, he worked as a schoolteacher in Manchester. He also taught social history at a university. Later, he worked in industrial relations for the Electrical Supply Industry.
His Family Life
Alfred Morris married Irene Jones in 1950. They had four children together, two sons and two daughters.
His brother, Charles Morris, was also a Labour MP. His niece, Estelle Morris, also became a Labour MP and later a peer in the House of Lords, serving alongside him.
Lord Morris passed away in hospital on August 12, 2012, at the age of 84. He was survived by his wife and children.
Awards and Honours
Alfred Morris received many awards for his important work:
- 1971: Field Marshel Lord Harding Award for helping disabled people.
- 1972: Louis Braille Memorial Award for his service to blind people.
- 1979: Became a member of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom.
- 1989: Received the Companion of the Queen's Service Order from New Zealand.
- 1991: Became an Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia.
- 1997: Received an honorary doctorate from the University of Salford.
- 1997: Became a Life Peer.
- 1998: Received an honorary doctorate from the University of Manchester.
- 2000: Named an "Information Pioneer of the Century."
- 2005: Received a Lifetime Achievement Award from MENCAP.
- 2009: Received Honorary Fellowships from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow and the Royal College of Physicians.
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Archives
- Catalogue of the papers of Alfred Morris at London School of Economics Archives
See also
Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970
