Anderson was involved with the Social Democratic Federation. He was secretary of the Edinburgh branch from 1901 to 1902, secretary of the Scottish District Council from 1901 to 1902, delegate for Edinburgh branch to the 1902 Conference, and SDF Executive Committee member from 1902 to 1903. Anderson should not be confused with another individual of the same name who was also active in the SDF, but who went on to co-found the Socialist Party of Great Britain in 1904. {Scotland-politician-stub}}