James Halliday was a Scottish author, historian and politician.
11 Facts About Jimmy Halliday
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Jimmy Halliday was the chairman of the Scottish National Party from 1956 to 1960.
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Jimmy Halliday was born in Woodburn Cottage, Wemyss Bay, Renfrewshire, the son of James Wightman Jimmy Halliday, an estate gardener.
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Jimmy Halliday was educated at Skelmorlie Primary School and Greenock Academy.
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Jimmy Halliday joined the SNP in 1943, aged 16, and registered for military service in World War II.
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Jimmy Halliday began studying at the University of Glasgow in 1944, joining the Glasgow University Scottish Nationalist Association and playing an active part in union debates.
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Jimmy Halliday specialised in modern history and had a particular interest in the history, politics and constitution of the United States.
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In 1956, Jimmy Halliday was elected leader of the SNP when Robert McIntyre decided to step down due to his belief that there was some opposition to him remaining leader amongst the party ranks.
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Jimmy Halliday contested the Stirling and Falkirk Burghs seat again at the 1959 general election and West Fife in 1970.
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Jimmy Halliday led the SNP for four years but felt he had to resign due to the pressures of working life.
11.
Jimmy Halliday remained active in the SNP, and was a regular columnist for the Scots Independent newspaper and chairman of the company which publishes it.