Thomas Davis and Ireland: A Biographical Study - Hardcover

Mulvey, Helen F.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0813213037 ISBN 13: 9780813213033

Publisher: The Catholic University of America Press, 2003

Synopsis

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 thirty-one; his early death left many questions unanswered about his thoughts and aspirations. His first biography, written by his friend and collaborator Duffy, was published in 1890, and is an invaluable source for Davis's life and his part in the Irish nationalist struggle. Duffy's work was as well a eulogy, presenting Davis in so favorable a light that he seems at times unreal. To provide a more thorough, objective portrait of Davis, respected historian Helen F. Mulvey here presents a scholarly examination of Davis's life and thoughts.

Throughout this engaging narrative, Mulvey covers the principal events of Davis's life and work, discusses his role in the evolution of Irish nationalism, and reveals his importance to generations of nationalists. Mulvey 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. He was a man of moderation, however, flexible and intelligent about ends and means. His gifts for friendship, his grace of manner drew people to him and marked him out as a natural leader. Even his political opponents admired him.

With the perspective of time and recent research in Irish history, Mulvey offers a unique look at the vision Davis had for his country. She concludes that Davis's nationalism was essentially of a constitutional kind, and that he would have given no support to the violence that has prevailed in the last twenty-five years.

Helen F. Mulvey is Professor Emeritus of History at Connecticut College. She is the author of numerous articles and reviews, and is the coeditor of Writings in Irish History, 1938-1975.

"This is a work of mature scholarship, carefully researched, objective, and balanced. It breaks new ground by providing a well-researched and illuminating discussion of Davis's thought, set in its wider European and international context."--Jacqueline Hill, National University of Ireland, Maynooth

"Mulvey's long awaited biography of Thomas Davis is a valuable addition to Irish historiography. Davis is a figure in Irish history of monumental and mythical proportions. Mulvey thoroughly discusses his life, ideas, and role in the evolution of Irish nationalism.... Beautiful, clear writing is an additional strength of Mulvey's portrait of Davis. An entertaining, interesting, and informative read."--Lawrence J. McCaffrey, Professor Emeritus, Loyola University of Chicago

"Mulvey's mature study comes out of a deep sympathy with Davis and his objectives. But she is not blind to his contradictions and weaknesses. She sees his ballads as generally more militaristic and extreme than his prose writings. Nor is her concern with Davis's use as a teacher of lessons for today's politics. Here is a scholarly assessment of the man in his own time.... Mulvey maintains an excellent balance.... This study is soundly based on Davis's own writings and on the correspondence of his contemporaries. In giving perspective to her work the author makes excellent use of recent specialist studies. The scholarship is matched by an effortless narrative."--Donal McCartney, University College Dublin, Irish Economic and Social History

"A clear account of Davis' life from a comprehensive viewpoint, which includes a recapitulation of historical events in which he played a major role."-Eileen Sullivan, Irish Literary Supplement

About this title

About the Author:

Helen F. Mulvey is Professor Emeritus of History at Connecticut College. She is the author of numerous articles and reviews, and is the coeditor of "Writings in Irish History, 1938-1975."

About this edition

• Publisher: The Catholic University of America Press
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0813213037
• ISBN 13: 9780813213033
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 278