James McSparran

James McSparran (1 May 1892 - 15 April 1970), was an Irish nationalist politician.

McSparran was born in Glasgow to an Irish family [ [http://www.ulsterbiography.co.uk/biogsMac2.htm Dictionary of Ulster Biography] ] He studied at St Mungo's Academy, Glasgow, then St Malachy's College in Belfast, Queen's University of Belfast, and the National University of Ireland. [http://www.election.demon.co.uk/stormont/biographies.html Northern Ireland Parliament Elections Results: Biographies] ]

McSparran was appointed to the Irish Bar in 1916, and later became a King's Counsel. He also had interests in the "Irish News". [Michael Farrell, "Northern Ireland: The Orange State"]

At the Northern Ireland general election, 1945, McSparran was elected for the Nationalist Party in Mourne. He immediately became the Chairman of the Nationalist Party at Stormont, and was the founding Chairman of the Anti-Partition of Ireland League. In 1953, he became instead the President of the League, and in 1958, he stood down from Parliament and his position as Chairman of the Nationalist Party.

McSparran remained active as a barrister and supported the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association, [ [http://dnausers.d-n-a.net/dnetvcro/temporary/AMS-october5.html 28-31 October, 1968] , Queen's University of Belfast Historical Documents Project] and represented victims of Bloody Sunday at the Widgery enquiry. [Eamonn McCann, " [http://pubs.socialistreviewindex.org.uk/sr216/mccann.htm Feature article: Bloody Sunday - time for the truth] ", "Socialist Review" #216 (1998)]

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