John Burns

The Right Honourable John Burns
Burns, circa 1911
President of the Local Government Board
In office 10 December 1905 – 11 February 1914
Monarchs	Edward VII George V
Prime Minister	Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman H. H. Asquith
Preceded by	Gerald Balfour
Succeeded by	Herbert Samuel
President of the Board of Trade
In office 11 February 1914 – 5 August 1914
Monarch	George V
Prime Minister	H. H. Asquith
Preceded by	Sydney Buxton
Succeeded by	Walter Runciman
Personal details
Born	(1858-10-20)20 October 1858 Vauxhall, London, England
Died	24 January 1943(1943-01-24) (aged 84)
Citizenship	United Kingdom

John Elliot Burns (20 October 1858 – 24 January 1943) was an English trade unionist and politician, particularly associated with London politics and Battersea. He was a socialist and then a Liberal Member of Parliament and Minister. He was anti-alcohol and a keen sportsman. When the Liberal cabinet made a decision for war on 2 August 1914, he resigned and played no further role in politics. After retiring from politics, he developed an expertise in London history and coined the phrase "The Thames is liquid history".