Remember John MacLean. Here stands the John MacLean Memorial Stone. It commemorates a remarkable Scottish socialist. The John MacLean Memorial Stone marks his significant contributions.
This cairn of Scottish granite is 6ft high. It was unveiled in 1973. This was to mark the 50th anniversary of his death. His daughters Jean Wilson and Nan Maclean Milton unveiled it. William Gray Lord Provost of Glasgow assisted.
The John MacLean Memorial Stone bears an inscription. It reads: “In memory of John Maclean born in Pollokshaws on 24th August 1879 died 30th November 1923. Famous pioneer of working-class education. He forged the Scottish link in the golden chain of world socialism”.
The Glasgow Herald reported on the unveiling. It noted Maclean’s role in the Red Clyde tradition. Lenin regarded Maclean as Britain’s greatest revolutionary leader. Glasgow Corporation provided the site for the John MacLean Memorial Stone. It is near Maclean’s birthplace. He was only 44 when he died.
Poet Hugh MacDiarmid called Maclean “Next to Burns the greatest-ever Scot”. The anniversary coincided with books about Maclean. These included “John Maclean” by Nan Milton. Also “John Maclean” by John Broom.
The Glasgow Herald noted Maclean had not been forgotten. Other far-left leaders gained fame. Maclean was remembered by a smaller group. They treasured his name and memory. The John MacLean Memorial Stone stands as a symbol. It represents something surprising and barely understood in society. Many were puzzled by the commemoration.
Maclean’s Marxist work in Scotland was astonishing. It showed determination courage and single-mindedness.
John Maclean was born in Pollokshaws. This was then on Glasgow’s outskirts. He opposed World War I. This led to his arrest under the Defence of the Realm Act. He lost his teaching post. He became a full-time Marxist lecturer and organiser.
In April 1918 he was arrested for sedition. His 75-minute speech became famous. He was sentenced to five years’ penal servitude. After the November armistice he was released.
Maclean believed Scottish workers should lead the revolution. He spoke of “Celtic communism” inspired by clan spirit. His Scottish Workers Republican Party was largely unsuccessful. He was the Bolshevik representative in Scotland. But he disagreed with the Communist Party of Great Britain.
His health suffered due to hunger strikes and force-feeding. He collapsed during a speech. Maclean died of pneumonia aged forty-four.
In January 1918 Maclean chaired the Third All-Russian Congress of Soviets. A month later he was appointed Bolshevik consul in Scotland. He established a consulate in Glasgow. The British Government did not recognise it.
Maclean’s trial for sedition took place on 9 May in Edinburgh. He conducted his own defence. He refused to plead. He objected to all jurors. He said capitalism was rotten. It must give way to a new society.
He stated he was not the accused. He was the accuser of capitalism. He said he would fight for a reconstruction of society.
After his imprisonment a campaign launched for his release. Following the armistice he returned to Glasgow. He received a tumultuous welcome.
Maclean was the Labour Party candidate for Glasgow Gorbals. He failed to unseat the sitting MP.
Maclean supported Home Rule for Ireland. He later supported Irish independence. He saw it as part of an anti-imperialist struggle.
As the BSP merged into the Communist Party Maclean felt alienated. He wanted to make Glasgow a Petrograd. He wanted Moscow not to dictate to Glasgow. He favoured a Scottish Workers’ Republic.
In 1923 Maclean founded the Scottish Workers Republican Party. It combined communist ideologies and Scottish nationalism. Maclean’s stay in Peterhead Prison caused his health to deteriorate. He died at home in Pollokshaws. Thousands lined the streets for his funeral.
Lenin described him as a forerunner of the world revolution. His daughter called him the “Scottish Lenin”. In 1973 a cairn of Scottish granite was unveiled. It marked the 50th anniversary of MacLean’s death. At the ceremony Hugh MacDiarmid called Maclean the greatest Scot after Burns.
The John MacLean Memorial Stone stands as a testament. It honours a man of principle and action.