Andrew Larcher

Life

Andrew Larcher was born into a family of Huguenot silk weavers in Spitalfields. Following riots over reductions in wages, the Spitalfields Acts regulated both wages and prices in the silk industry. Larcher's writings defended these acts, but proposed extending the system to an industrial direct democracy based on Trades Assemblies.

Works

• A remedy for establishing universal peace and happiness, against universal oppression, and dangerous tumults. Or, the friendly dictates of common sense, to all working people, especially to the silk weavers of London. Shewing the Easy and Peaceable, the Just and Lawful, the Only and Infallible Ways or Means to Unite their Interest, and become One Firmly United, Friendly and Philanthrophic Society of free tradesmen. An Example worthy the Attention and Imitation of every useful Class of People
• Fraternal and Philanthropic Policy : or Articles of the British fraternal and philanthropic Community united against monopoly and extortion, etc. (Mr Andrew Larcher's address to the members, etc.), 1796
• The good and bad effects of high and low wages, or A defence of the Spitalfields act in answer to an anonymous pamphlet, entitled, "Observations on the ruinous tendency of the Spitalfields act" &c., 1823