Description

The Irish actress, suffragette, and revolutionary Maud Gonne (1866-1953) has long been viewed as merely as a footnote to the stories of more prominent literary, political, and legal figures of her day. In fact, when she is cited at all, it's often to simply describe her as the muse of poet W. B. Yeats. Trish Ferguson's succinct new biography aims to correct the historical record, showing just how significant a role Gonne played in the fights for women's suffrage and Irish sovereignty. Drawing on archival sources and previously unpublished correspondence and interviews, Ferguson presents a detailed study of Gonne's life as a political activist, journalist, reviewer, and the founder and editor of several Irish nationalist publications. This book offers a reevaluation of Gonne's importance to the political and social landscape of early twentieth-century Ireland, as well as highlighting the oft-overlooked contributions made by women in the formation of the Irish state.