Thomas Davis and Ireland: A Biographical Study

Front Cover
CUA Press, 2003 - Biography & Autobiography - 278 pages
Thomas Davis (1814-1845) was a leading figure in the Young Ireland movement of the 1840s. With Charles Gavan Duffy and John Blake Dillon, he created the influential weekly newspaper Nation in an effort to support Daniel O'Connell's campaign to repeal the Act of Union. A man of great political and literary promise, he died at only 31. This work provides an objective portrait of Davis' life and thoughts. Helen Mulvey covers the principal events of Davis' life and work, discusses his role in the evolution of Irish nationalism, and reveals his importance to generations of nationalists. The text pays particular attention to his motivations, ideas, interests, friendships, and inconsistencies. A man of many talents, Davis might have become a lawyer, an historian of Ireland, a writer of historical fiction, or a champion of various public causes, political or social.
 

Contents

Early Life 18141842
21
Backgrounds and Parallels
92
Personal
101
Public and Private Life 18431845
143
Davis and the Writing of History
205
Further Reflections and Epilogue
228
Appendix
243
Bibliography
255
Index
273
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About the author (2003)

Helen F. Mulvey is Professor Emeritus of History at Connecticut College.