Life Of Theobald Wolfe Tone

Memoirs, journals and political writings, compiled and arranged by William T.W. Tone, 1826

Theobald Wolfe Tone, Thomas Bartlett

• Publisher: The Lilliput Press
• Year: 1998
• Print ISBN: 9781901866049
• eBook ISBN: 9781843513650
• Topic: Politics & International Relations
• Subtopic: Historical Biographies
• Index: Politics & International Relations

As I shall embark in a business, within a few days, the event of which is uncertain, I take the opportunity of a vacant hour to throw on paper a few memorandums relative to myself and my family …' So begins Theobald Wolfe Tone's riveting autobiography, commenced in 1796 before he sailed with the French to Bantry Bay. Since its initial publication in 1826, the Life of Theobald Wolfe Tone, comprising the autobiography as well as a monumental collection of his journals, letters and political writings, has been regarded by historians as an indispensable source for the history of the 1790s, and for the life of Tone himself. Its blend of candid memoir, frank diary entries and political passion has contributed to the mystique of this Protestant revolutionary and founding father of Irish republicanism, who strove to promote 'the common name of Irishman' in place of the political and religious barriers that had divided his country. While there have been a number of abridged versions of the 1826 Life as compiled and edited by Tone's son William, this is the first new unabridged edition of the work. Using Tone's original manuscripts, editor Thomas Bartlett has restored passages suppressed – for reasons of primness and prudence – by the Tone family. Tone emerges in these pages as a man of great energy, wit and commitment. The development of his political ideas, the intimate details of his danger-filled life, the power of his prose – all are on display throughout this extraordinary compendium. Tone's Life, documenting the drama of his brief career, forms his most enduring legacy.

Table of contents

• Title page
• Contents
• Introduction by Thomas Bartlett
• Preface by William Theobald Wolfe Tone [1826]
• MEMOIRS 1763–1796
• Memoirs I: Youth and Early Political Career, 1763–1792
• Continuation of the Life of Theobald Wolfe Tone
• Memoirs II: The Catholic Question, 1792–1793
• Sequel to the Continuation of the Life of Theobald Wolfe Tone
• Memoirs III: Into Exile, 1795–1796
• Appendix: Journals, Notes, Letters, Memorandums, 1789–1795
• Notes to Memoirs
• POLITICAL WORKS
• A Review of the Conduct of Administration, during the Last Session of Parliament
• Spanish War!
• An Argument on Behalf of the Catholics of Ireland
• Declaration and Resolutions of the Society of United Irishmen of Belfast
• To the Manufacturers of Dublin
• A Short Answer to ‘A Brief Caution to the Roman Catholics of Ireland’
• Observations upon the Resolutions of the City and County of Londonderry, Summer Assizes, 1792
• Reply to a Pamphlet Entitled ‘The Protestant Interest in Ireland Ascertained’
• Vindication of the Circular of the Catholic Sub-committee […]
• A Vindication of the Conduct and Principles of the Catholics of Ireland […]
• Reasons Why the Question of Parliamentary Reform Has Always Failed in the Irish Legislature
• Letter to the Editor of Faulkner’s Journal
• Statement […] for the Partial Repeal of the Penal Laws
• Proposals and Memorial Relative to the Establishment of a Military Colony in the Sandwich Islands, and the Liberation of Spanish America
• Essays for the Political Club Formed in Dublin, 1790
• Letter from America: Theobald Wolfe Tone to Thomas Russell, 1795
• Notes to Political Works
• JOURNALS: MISSION IN FRANCE, 1796–1798
• Part I: Negotiations with the French Government at Paris [February – September 1796]
• Appendix to Part I: Memorials on the Present State of Ireland
• Part II: Rennes, Brest, Bantry Bay [September 1796 – January 1797]
• Appendix to Part II: Addresses to the People of Ireland
• Part III: Paris, Cologne, Holland [January – May 1797]
• Appendix to Part III: Letters to Matilda
• Part IV: Germany, Texel, Paris [May – September 1797]
• Part V: Paris, Rouen, Havre de Grace [September 1797 – June 1798]
• Notes to the Journals
• The Third and Last Expedition for the Liberation of Ireland, and the Capture, Trial and Death of Theobald Wolfe Tone
• Appendix A: The Tone Family after 1798
• Appendix B: Mrs Tone’s Interview with Napoleon
• Appendix C: William T.W. Tone’s Service in the French Army
• Copyright