Benjamin Lucraft - The International Working Men's Association

The International Working Men's Association

Lucraft was at the inaugural meeting of what became the First International, the International Workingmen's Association, described by Karl Marx in a famous letter to Friedrich Engels dated 4 November 1864. The founding meeting took place on 28 September in St. Martin's Hall. It had been convened by George Odger and W.R. Cremer and the meeting was chaired by Professor E.S. Beesly. Lucraft was elected to the provisional committee.

Lucraft was a member of the General Council of the IWMA from its foundation in 1864 to 1871 and he played an active and committed part in its political work. He was a signatory to the 'Address to the People of America' on 29 November 1864 congratulating them on Abraham Lincoln's re-election to the presidency. He proposed a resolution on 10 January 1865 pledging continued support to the Polish people in the struggle against Tsarism, was a delegate to the Brussell's Congress of 1868 and the Basle Congress of 1869.

Marx drafted most of the important documents and statements from the International. His career to that point, as an author and journalist, made him a natural in this service. The only other "intellectual" worker on the General Council (known early on as the Central Council) was Peter Fox (another journalist). The other members were:

• Tailor–Johann Eccarius, Lessner, Maurice, Milner, Stainsby
• Carpenter–Applegarth, Cremer, Lochner, Weston
• Weaver—Bradnick, J. Hales, Mottershead
• Shoemaker—Morgan, George Odger, Serraillier
• Furniture Maker—Dell, Lucraft
• Watchmaker—Jung
• Mason—Howell
• Musical-instrument maker Dupont
• Hairdresser—Lassassie

The minutes of the meetings show Lucraft as often chairing the First International and at one such meeting in 1869 a letter of the IWMA was approved to be sent to the National Labour Union of the United States. Lucraft preferred Marx's use of the word "vermin" to describe those who profited from the war between the states (the American Civil War).

In September 1866 Lucraft was a representative of the London Trades Council at the First Conference of the International in Geneva.