Lives of Illustrious and Distinguished Irishmen Book

This is an authoritative and easy-to-use biographical dictionary covering over nineteen centuries of Irish lives. From Ollamh Fodhla, six hundred years bc, through Jonathan Swift up until the mid-Victorian era with the death of Whitley Stokes in 1845, this important reference work was first published in 1839-47. Ireland has always had a very personal history and its heroes appear in every field of human endeavour including philosophers, theologians, historians, statesmen, physicians, writers, and scientists; names include St Patrick, Niall of the Nine Hostages, Brendan, Edmund Spenser, James Butler, James Usher, Jeremy Taylor, Jonathan Swift, George Berkeley, Robert Boyle, Sir Richard Steele, Sir Hans Sloane, Edmund Burke, Henry Grattan, John Philpot Curran, Thomas Percy, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, Elizabeth Hamilton, Mary Tighe, George Canning, and Oliver Goldsmith. Five hundred and thirteen biographies are printed using a wide range of source materials, making this the most comprehensive and extensive biographical history of Ireland attempted. The text is arranged into six historical periods, each with a historical introduction. Within each period, the lives are presented chronologically within three disciplines - literary, political and ecclesiastical. In addition, the volumes are illustrated with a selection of portraits and views. This detailed sourcebook is an invaluable biographical reference tool for libraries and students in all disciplines.