Abbey Books in the town produced the showcase in memory of one of Paisley’s most famous politicians.
23:52, 14 Aug 2025Updated 23:52, 14 Aug 2025
Brian Hannan of Abbey Books has paid tribute to the late Paisley MP Willie Gallacher(Image: Andrew Neil)
A Paisley bookshop has honoured the passing of one of Paisley’s most famous MPs by creating a display.
Abbey Books, in Wellmeadow Street, marked the 60th anniversary of the death of Willie Gallacher by designing a window display dedicated to the Buddie.
Taking up room in the shop, the display on Thursday not only contained copies of the politician’s own books but a whole raft of left-wing reads including works by Lenin and Stalin.
Gallacher was believed to be the first Paisley author to be published by Penguin – a multi-national publishing company – with a book titled ‘The Case for Communism’, published in 1949.
The book was so well received, it became the first in a series produced by Gallacher. A second book, ‘Rise Like Lions’, was published by Lawrence and Wishart in 1951.
And not only has Abbey Books got hold of copies of both books, they are both signed by Gallacher; a rare distinction at a time when book signing was far from the norm.
Brian Hannan, manager of the Paisley book store, told the Paisley Daily Express: “It’s something of an honour to even hold these books in my hand. He is one of the most famous figures to emerge from Paisley and a significant politician in his time.
“I realised no one else was remembering a man that was one of the most famous people to come out of Paisley. He was instrumental in pushing for the 40-hour week and wanted to improve the working life for people.
“Initially, I was just going to put books in the window but I thought a bigger display was more fitting given the historical figure of the politician.”
Born in Paisley on Christmas Day, 1881, he was the son of a baker. After his father died when he was seven, it was left to his washerwoman mother to keep the family together.
In the 1920s, Gallacher became an influential figure when he became known a Scottish trade unionist, activist and communist.
He was one of the leading figures of the shop stewards’ movement in wartime Glasgow, as well as being a founding member of the Communist Party of Great Britain.
In 1925, he was imprisoned for his political beliefs after being convicted under the Incitement to Mutiny Act 1797. He lived in a two-room council house in 68 Rowan Street and, famously, never had a phone.
Gallacher was regularly contacted via the nearest public telephone booth bearing the number THO 3255 – with calls said to have come from all over the world. He died in August 12, 1965 aged 83.
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