Thomas MacNevin
Encyclopedia
Thomas MacNevin was an influential Irish
writer and journalist, who died under “peculiarly sad circumstances” in a Bristol asylum. According to T. F. O’Sullivan, he was one of the most “brilliant intellects” to be associated with The Nation
newspaper and with the Young Ireland
movement.
, which he entered at the age of 17, Thomas MacNevin was born in Dublin, the son of Daniel MacNevin, although it has also been suggested that he was born in Galway
. Charles Gavan Duffy
in his Young Ireland a fragment of Irish history, 1840-45 described MacNevin as being “below the middle size but well made, well poised, and agile” woth auburn hair and clear blue eyes, “which he believed he inherited from Danish ancestors.” His face was “mobile, and possessed the power not given to one man in ten thousand, of expressing a wide range of feeling without exaggeration or grimace.”
nearly a century before, and had trained three generations of Irish orators and statesmen. However, in 1838 the society was exiled from the college that gave it a name. It was during this period that MacNevin became its President.
The meetings were held in Radley's Hotel, and attracted audiences with their vehement and flamboyant eloquence. Isaac Butt
, Joseph Lefanu, Torrens M'Cullagh, Thomas Wallis, James O'Hea, William Keogh
, and Joseph Pollock all debated in a style reminiscent of that of the old Irish Parliament. At Trinity College, MacNevin studied elocution
under Vandenhoff and Sheridan Knowles. He completed his degree in 1838, and was called to the Bar the following year.
in 1171. Also in this year he edited and published The speeches of the Right Honourable Richard Lalor Sheil
.
MacNevin worked on The Nation
newspaper of the Young Ireland group for two years. He felt the death of Davis in 1845 keenly, and in the last remaining years of his life was mentally affected.
. On the 19 February, The Nation paid a tribute to their former colleague and friend.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
writer and journalist, who died under “peculiarly sad circumstances” in a Bristol asylum. According to T. F. O’Sullivan, he was one of the most “brilliant intellects” to be associated with The Nation
The Nation (Irish newspaper)
The Nation was an Irish nationalist weekly newspaper, published in the 19th century. The Nation was printed first at 12 Trinity Street, Dublin, on 15 October 1842, until 6 January 1844...
newspaper and with the Young Ireland
Young Ireland
Young Ireland was a political, cultural and social movement of the mid-19th century. It led changes in Irish nationalism, including an abortive rebellion known as the Young Irelander Rebellion of 1848. Many of the latter's leaders were tried for sedition and sentenced to penal transportation to...
movement.
Background
According to the official records of Trinity College, DublinTrinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin , formally known as the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, was founded in 1592 by letters patent from Queen Elizabeth I as the "mother of a university", Extracts from Letters Patent of Elizabeth I, 1592: "...we...found and...
, which he entered at the age of 17, Thomas MacNevin was born in Dublin, the son of Daniel MacNevin, although it has also been suggested that he was born in Galway
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
. Charles Gavan Duffy
Charles Gavan Duffy
Additional Reading*, Allen & Unwin, 1973.*John Mitchel, A Cause Too Many, Aidan Hegarty, Camlane Press.*Thomas Davis, The Thinker and Teacher, Arthur Griffith, M.H. Gill & Son 1922....
in his Young Ireland a fragment of Irish history, 1840-45 described MacNevin as being “below the middle size but well made, well poised, and agile” woth auburn hair and clear blue eyes, “which he believed he inherited from Danish ancestors.” His face was “mobile, and possessed the power not given to one man in ten thousand, of expressing a wide range of feeling without exaggeration or grimace.”
Education
During his time at Trinity College, MacNevin became treasurer of the College Historical Society between 1834–35, and auditor in 1837-38. The society had been founded by Edmund BurkeEdmund Burke
Edmund Burke PC was an Irish statesman, author, orator, political theorist and philosopher who, after moving to England, served for many years in the House of Commons of Great Britain as a member of the Whig party....
nearly a century before, and had trained three generations of Irish orators and statesmen. However, in 1838 the society was exiled from the college that gave it a name. It was during this period that MacNevin became its President.
The meetings were held in Radley's Hotel, and attracted audiences with their vehement and flamboyant eloquence. Isaac Butt
Isaac Butt
Isaac Butt Q.C. M.P. was an Irish barrister, politician, Member of Parliament , and the founder and first leader of a number of Irish nationalist parties and organisations, including the Irish Metropolitan Conservative Society in 1836, the Home Government Association in 1870 and in 1873 the Home...
, Joseph Lefanu, Torrens M'Cullagh, Thomas Wallis, James O'Hea, William Keogh
William Keogh
William Keogh PC was an unpopular and controversial Irish politician and judge, whose name became a byword for betraying one's political principles.- Background :...
, and Joseph Pollock all debated in a style reminiscent of that of the old Irish Parliament. At Trinity College, MacNevin studied elocution
Elocution
Elocution is the study of formal speaking in pronunciation, grammar, style, and tone.-History:In Western classical rhetoric, elocution was one of the five core disciplines of pronunciation, which was the art of delivering speeches. Orators were trained not only on proper diction, but on the proper...
under Vandenhoff and Sheridan Knowles. He completed his degree in 1838, and was called to the Bar the following year.
Career
In 1844, MacNevin edited the State Trials, and later he wrote two volumes for the Young Ireland “Library of Ireland”. The first, a History of the Irish Volunteers of 1782, was published in 1845, followed by The Confiscation of Ulster in 1846. In 1845, he published Gerald, a three act play on the invasion of Ireland by Henry IIHenry II of England
Henry II ruled as King of England , Count of Anjou, Count of Maine, Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Count of Nantes, Lord of Ireland and, at various times, controlled parts of Wales, Scotland and western France. Henry, the great-grandson of William the Conqueror, was the...
in 1171. Also in this year he edited and published The speeches of the Right Honourable Richard Lalor Sheil
Richard Lalor Sheil
Richard Lalor Sheil , Irish politician, writer and orator, was born at Drumdowney, Slieverue, County Kilkenny, Ireland...
.
MacNevin worked on The Nation
The Nation (Irish newspaper)
The Nation was an Irish nationalist weekly newspaper, published in the 19th century. The Nation was printed first at 12 Trinity Street, Dublin, on 15 October 1842, until 6 January 1844...
newspaper of the Young Ireland group for two years. He felt the death of Davis in 1845 keenly, and in the last remaining years of his life was mentally affected.
Death
MacNevin died on the 8 February 1848 in an asylum in BristolBristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
. On the 19 February, The Nation paid a tribute to their former colleague and friend.
Further reading
- The Volunteers of 1782, Thomas MacNevinThomas MacNevinThomas MacNevin was an influential Irish writer and journalist, who died under “peculiarly sad circumstances” in a Bristol asylum. According to T. F...
, James Duffy & Sons. Centenary Edition - The Politics of Irish Literature: from Thomas Davis to W.B. Yeats, Malcolm Brown, Allen & Unwin, 1973
- John Mitchel, A Cause Too Many, Aidan Hegarty, Camlane Press
- Thomas Davis, The Thinker and Teacher, Arthur Griffith, M.H. Gill & Son 1922
- Brigadier-General Thomas Francis Meagher, His Political and Military Career, Capt. W. F. Lyons, Burns Oates & Washbourne Limited 1869
- Young Ireland and 1848, Dennis Gwynn, Cork University Press 1949
- Daniel O'Connell, The Irish Liberator, Dennis Gwynn, Hutchinson & Co, Ltd.
- O'Connell Davis and the Collages Bill, Dennis Gwynn, Cork University Press 1948
- Smith O’Brien and the “Secession”, Dennis Gwynn, Cork University Press
- Meagher of The Sword, edited By Arthur Griffith, M. H. Gill & Son, Ltd. 1916
- Young Irelander Abroad: The Diary of Charles Hart, edited by Brendan O'Cathaoir, University Press
- John Mitchel, First Felon for Ireland, edited By Brian O'Higgins, Brian O'Higgins 1947
- Rossa's Recollections 1838 to 1898, intro by Sean O'Luing, The Lyons Press 2004
- abour in Ireland, James Connolly, Fleet Street 1910
- The Re-Conquest of Ireland, James Connolly, Fleet Street 1915
- John Mitchel Noted Irish Lives, Louis J. Walsh, The Talbot Press Ltd 1934
- Thomas Davis: Essays and Poems, Centenary Memoir, M. H Gill, M.H. Gill & Son, Ltd MCMXLV.
- Life of John Martin, P. A. Sillard, James Duffy & Co., Ltd 1901
- Life of John Mitchel, P. A. Sillard, James Duffy and Co., Ltd 1908
- John Mitchel, P. S. O'Hegarty, Maunsel & Company, Ltd 1917
- The Fenians in Context: Irish Politics & Society 1848-82, R. V. Comerford, Wolfhound Press 1998
- William Smith O'Brien and the Young Ireland Rebellion of 1848, Robert Sloan, Four Courts Press 2000
- Irish Mitchel, Seamus MacCall, Thomas Nelson and Sons Ltd 1938
- Ireland Her Own, T. A. Jackson, Lawrence & Wishart Ltd 1976
- Life and Times of Daniel O'Connell, T. C. Luby, Cameron & Ferguson
- Young Ireland, T. F. O'Sullivan, The Kerryman Ltd. 1945
- Irish Rebel John Devoy and America's Fight for Irish Freedom, Terry Golway, St. Martin's Griffin 1998
- Paddy's Lament: Ireland 1846-1847, Prelude to Hatred, Thomas Gallagher, Poolbeg 1994.
- The Great Shame, Thomas Keneally, Anchor Books 1999.
- James Fintan Lalor, Thomas, P. O'Neill, Golden Publications 2003.
- Charles Gavan Duffy: Conversations With Carlyle (1892), with Introduction, Stray Thoughts On Young Ireland, by Brendan Clifford, Athol Books, Belfast, (ISBN 0 85034 1140). (Pg. 32 Titled, Foster’s account Of Young Ireland.)
- Envoi, Taking Leave Of Roy Foster, by Brendan Clifford and Julianne Herlihy, Aubane Historical Society, Cork.
- The Falcon Family, or, Young Ireland, by M. W. Savage, London, 1845. (An Gorta Mor)Quinnipiac University