136
372 MacDONAGH,Michael.
IrishLiterary Society of London -MacDonagh,Michael. An interestingALS onheadednote-
paper of the Irish Literary Society of London dated 4 Nov. 1893, to the biographer Arthur
B. Chamberlain, 4 pp (single folded sheet), suggesting a long list of Irish names suitable for
inclusion in a forthcoming edition of ‘Men andWomen of the Time’, including politicians
such as JohnRedmond, J.F.X.O’Brien (sentenced tobehanged for participation in theFenian
insurrection), O’Donovan Rossa, Patrick Ford (editor, IrishWorld, New York), John Devoy
(another noted conspirator), AugustusM. Costelloe (the leader of the IrishAmerican ‘inva-
sion’ of Ireland during the Fenian insurrection); alsomany writers, artists, ecclesiastics and
others. “From several of these it would be impossible to obtain the necessary particulars, but
as I have always taken an interest in Irishbiography, andknow the sources ... I can supply you
withbrief sketches of thosewhodonot respond toyour invitation”.
The Irish Literary Society of London was founded in 1892 by a group includingW.B. Yeats
andD.O’Donoghue.MichaelMacDonagh (1862-1946)was anactivememberandeditorof the
Society’s quarterlyGazette. Born inLimerick, hewas a journalist with the Freeman’s Journal
and later Parliamentary correspondent for the London Times. His published works include
Irish Graves in England’, The Viceroy’s Postbag, The Irish At the Front and biographies of
Daniel O’Connell and BishopDoyle (‘J.K.L’). While with the Freeman’s Journal he wrote an
influential series onpoverty in the islands off thewest coast.
€250 - 350
373 IrishLiteraryFigures.
ACollection including:
Costello,Dudley, (1803 - 1865), Irishborn Journalist andAuthor
ALS to aMr Jeffs (?) referring toFrench sourcematerial, probably relating to the timehe spent
inParis.
Hall, SamuelCarter, (1800 - 1889), IrishEditor andWriter
TwoALSs, one to aFrench artist, referring to aworkhe commissioned. The second, toLady
Holmes “Nanahas been and is very ill: dangerously ill.”
DeVere,Aubrey, (1814 - 1902), Poet
In excess of adozen autograph letters signed to random correspondents,manywrittenbyhim
from the family estate “CurraghChase,Adare. “
Knowles, James Sheridan, (1784 - 1862), IrishDramatist andActor. ALS
Threepage autograph letter to “MyDearOldSchoolfellow” remindinghim that theymet
some years previously inLondon. He concludeswith apostscript “P.S. My fatherwasnephew
toMr Sheridan, the author of thedictionary, and the father of theoratorR. B. Sheridan.”
€200 - 300
