Robert Spence Watson (8 June 1837 – 2 March 1911) was an English solicitor, reformer, politician and writer. He became famous for pioneering labour arbitrations.^[1]

He was born in Gateshead, the second child of Sarah (Spence) and Joseph Watson.^[2] Watson's father was a liberal radical.^[3] After some early tutoring, he received his secondary education at Bootham School, York and began studying at University College, London in 1853; he did not complete his degree there, but during that time, and later, he travelled abroad.^[1]

Watson was a Quaker.^[3]

He returned to the North East in 1860 and became a solicitor. He began a legal practice with his father under the name J. & R S Watson and he remained in practice there for the rest of his life.^[1]

In 1862 he became Secretary to the Literary and Philosophical Society of Newcastle upon Tyne and held that position for thirty-one years. His work led to the Society accumulating the largest independent library outside London.^[1]

On 9 June 1863 he married Elizabeth Richardson at the Friends’ meeting house, Pilgrim Street, Newcastle and they had six children.^[1]

Watson was president of the Newcastle Liberal and Radical Association from 1884 to 1897.^[3] He was one of the original convenors of the National Liberal Federation in 1877, and was its president from 1890 until 1902.

He helped to found the Durham College of Science in 1871, later to become Armstrong College and part of Newcastle University. He became its first president in 1910. He was instrumental in the founding of the Newcastle Free Public Library.^[1]

From 1890 till 1911, Watson was the president of the Society of Friends of Russian Freedom. He contributed much to the society's printed organ Free Russia.^[4]

He published "The History of English Rule and Policy in South Africa" in 1897, and joined the South Africa Conciliation Committee.^[5]

In 1995 a blue commemorative plaque was erected outside his home.^[6]

• "A Plan for Making the society more extensively useful, as an educational institution" (1868)
• The Villages around Metz (1870)^[7]
• Cædmon, the first English poet (1875)^[8]
• "The history of English rule and policy in South Africa" (1879) J. Forster, Newcastle upon Tyne.^[9]
• A Visit to Wazan (1880)^[10]
• "The Proper Limits of Obedience to the Law" (1887)^[11]
• The History of the Literary and Philosophical Society of Newcastle-upon-Tyne (1793-1896) (1897)^[12]
• "Northumbrian Story and Song" in Lectures Delivered to the Literary and Philosophical Society, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, on Northumbrian History, Literature, and Art (1898)^[13]
• The National Liberal Federation: From Its Commencement to the General Election of 1906 (1907)^[14]
• Joseph Skipsey: His Life and Work (1909) T. Fisher Unwin, London.