Page contents > News | Biography | Main Areas of Interest | Catalogue | Further information
News
Catalogue of the papers of Alfred Morris now online|
Biography
Alfred Morris was born in Manchester in 1928, one of eight children. His father had been gassed in the First World War and suffered a long decline in health which led to tremendous hardship being placed on his family, and especially on Morris' mother. Furthermore, when he first married, Morris went to live at the home of his wife's parents, both of whom were disabled. These experiences made an indelible impression on Morris and his political career was spent campaigning on behalf of disabled people.
Elected to Parliament in 1964, Morris came to prominence when he piloted the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act through Parliament in 1970. Four years later he became the world's first Minister for the Disabled. In 1979 he was appointed Chair of an international committee charged with drafting a UN sponsored Charter for disabled people worldwide. Morris' campaigning continued throughout the 1980s and into the 90s. His annual introduction of a debate on the disabled became a Parliamentary tradition, whilst in 1991 he introduced the Civil Rights (Disabled Persons) Bill.
Morris was also active on behalf of ex-servicemen and women and was heavily involved with issues concerning his constituency and Manchester.
Main Areas of Interest
Morris' high profile in disability campaigning makes this collection an important resource for the study of the development of British social policy.
Catalogue
A catalogue of this collection is available through the Archives Catalogue|.
Further information
Contact LSE Archives: Contact details|.