William Broadhead (September 1815 – 15 March 1879) was aBritishtrade unionist andsaw grinder, and instrumental in theSheffield Outrages.
Born inWhirlow,Sheffield, Broadhead worked as a saw grinder from childhood, later becoming the landlord of apublic house inOwlerton. He used his income from this business to support saw grinders who found themselves in difficulties, and as a result, was elected General Secretary of theSaw Grinders Union in 1848. Under his leadership, the union grew in power, raising money for its members, and disrupting the work of non-union members.
This disruption took several forms, including damaging equipment, sendingthreatening letters, and evenbombings and shootings. Broadhead avoided personal involvement in this intimidation, and was able to occupy a prominent position in trade union politics, being elected to an office in the firstSheffield Association of Organised Trades in 1858, and then made Treasurer of theUnited Kingdom Alliance of Organised Trades in 1866.
The union's actions against unorganised labour came to national attention, and became known as the Sheffield Outrages. Broadhead denied all knowledge, and offered a reward for information. In November 1866, the Sheffield Association and theLondon Trades Council asked Parliament to investigate. Most union members, including Broadhead, were given certificates of immunity, so although Broadhead ultimately confessed to ordering a murder and various other crimes to be committed, he was not convicted of any. He remained with the union, but was refused his publican's licence. To avoid public attention, he emigrated to the United States in 1869, but returned the following year to start a new career as a grocer.