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330 FRED PEGRAW (1870-1937)The Parnell Commission or The Trial of the Pigott Forgeries
Eleven individual pencil illustrations on paper, framed as one, 30.5 x 72cm
Signed, dated (18)’89 and inscribed with titles and sitters’ names
In May 1882, the Chief Secretary for Ireland Lord Frederick Cavendish and the Permanent Under-Secretary for Ireland T.H. Burke were stabbed to
death in Phoenix Park, Dublin by the Irish National Invincibles. The event became known as “The Phoenix Park Murders”.
Shortly after this, a member of the Land League, Meath journalist, Richard Pigott left the League after a dispute with its Treasurer involving em-
bezzlement of funds. Pigott turned on his former political associates and began to publish articles attacking and vilifying members of the league,
in particular its President and Irish Parliamentary Party leader, Charles Stewart Parnell who had publicly condemned the Phoenix Park Murders.
In an attempt to destroy Parnell’s political career, Pigott forged a number of letters bearing Parnell’s signature and asserting both his involvement
in and support for the murders. These letters appeared in The Times in March 1887 leading to public uproar.
The Parnell Commission was the government initiated judicial inquiry set up to investigate the charges made against Parnell and the Home Rule
party. Parnell’s principal lawyer in the trial was Charles Russell, later Baron Russell of Killowen and the third Lord Chief Justice of England, illustrat-
ed in this lot alongside both Parnell and Pigott.
The inquiry eventually led to the vindication of Parnell, finding him innocent after Piggtt admitted, under the pressure of questioning, to having
forged the letters. Parnell’s name was fully cleared and The Times paid a large sum of money in compensation.
On Parnell’s return to Parliament, he received a standing ovation from his fellow MPs. Pigott meanwhile, fled to Madrid where he was found dead
in his hotel room by police after shooting himself.
€ 700 - 1,000