James McSparran

Who was James McSparran?

James McSparran QC, was an Irish nationalist politician.

McSparran was born in Glasgow to an Irish family He studied at St Mungo's Academy, Glasgow, then St Malachy's College in Belfast, Queen's University of Belfast, and the National University of Ireland.

McSparran was appointed to the Irish Bar in 1916, and later became a King's Counsel. He also had interests in the Irish News.

At the Northern Ireland general election, 1945, McSparran was elected for the Nationalist Party in Mourne. He immediately became the Chairman of the Nationalist Party at Stormont, and was the founding Chairman of the Anti-Partition of Ireland League. In 1953, he became instead the President of the League, and in 1958, he stood down from Parliament and his position as Chairman of the Nationalist Party.

McSparran remained active as a barrister and supported the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association.