Joseph Davison

Sir Joseph Davison (1868 - 15 July 1948) [http://www.leighrayment.com/pcouncil/pcouncilI.htm PRIVY COUNSELLORS - IRELAND] ] was a prominent Unionist in Northern Ireland.

Davison was granted a knighthood in the Honours for the Opening of the Parliament of Northern Ireland in 1921. In 1923, Davison stood as the Ulster Unionist Party candidate in a by-election in Belfast West to the Northern Ireland House of Commons, but was beaten by independent Unionist Philip James Woods. [ [http://www.election.demon.co.uk/stormont/borough.html Northern Ireland Parliamentary Election Results 1921-29: Belfast] ]

In 1933, writing in the "Northern Whig", Davison stated "...it is time Protestant employers of Northern Ireland realised that whenever a Roman Catholic is brought into their employment it means one Protestant vote less... I suggest the slogan should be 'Protestants employ Protestants'". [Quoted in Fionnbarra Ó Dochartaigh, "Ulster's White Negroes"]

By 1935, Davison was the County Grand Master of the Orange Order in Belfast. When Prime Minister of Northern Ireland James Craig attempted to ban all marches from 18 June, Davison led the objections, and the ban was lifted within days. [Gillian McIntosh, "The Force of Culture: Unionist Identities in Twentieth-century Ireland"]

In 1935, Davison was elected to the Senate of Northern Ireland. He served as Deputy Speaker from 1936 until 1937. [http://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/hnisen.htm#D The Northern Ireland Senate, 1921-72] ] In 1940, he was appointed to the Privy Council of Northern Ireland. He was then Deputy Leader of the Senate from 1941 until his death. Also in 1941, Davison was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Department of the Prime Minister, serving in this post until his death. [ [http://www.election.demon.co.uk/stormont/administration.html The Government of Northern Ireland] ]

Davison became Grand Master of the Orange Institution of Ireland by 1943, serving until his death in 1948.

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