William Broadhead

William Broadhead (September 1815 – 15 March 1879) was a British trade unionist and saw grinder, and instrumental in the Sheffield Outrages.

Born in Whirlow, Sheffield, Broadhead worked as a saw grinder from childhood, later becoming the landlord of a public house in Owlerton.

This disruption took several forms, including damaging equipment, sending threatening letters, and even bombings and shootings.

In November 1866, the Sheffield Association and the London Trades Council asked Parliament to investigate.

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.