Scrapbook about efforts to have Frank Ryan released from prison in Spain,
[ca. 1938-1955?].
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| Summary: | The scrapbook contains letters, newspaper cuttings, press releases, biographical information about Frank Ryan, and typed and manuscript notes about the work of the committees set up to obtain his release from prison. |
| Format: | Manuscript |
| Language: | English |
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| Notes: | The revolutionary, Frank Ryan, joined the I.R.A. just before the Truce in July 1921, and took the anti-treaty side in the Civil War. In the early 1930's he left the I.R.A over policy differences and helped to form the left-wing Republican Congress. In 1936 he went to Spain as Irish leader in the International Brigades, which fought against Franco. After returning to Ireland for a while to recuperate from a wound, he went back to Spain, where he was captured in March 1938 and imprisoned under harsh conditions in Burgos. He was first sentenced to death, but following an international campaign for clemency, this sentence was commuted to thirty years hard labour. Efforts of the Irish government failed to secure his freedom, but the Franco government released him to German Military Intelligence and he was brought to Berlin in 1940. He died in Germany in June 1944. The effort to secure Frank Ryan's release from Spain included diplomatic endeavours on the part of De Valera's government; and appeals from the Pope and some members of the British parliament, as well as movements in the United States. The Irish-American Committee for Release of Frank Ryan had its headquarters in New York, and the San Francisco branch grew out of an organisation called the Irish-American Educational League. The scrapbook appears to have been compiled by the Corresponding Secretary of the San Francisco branch, Ethel Turner. Physical description: 1 volume. more |
| Arrangement: | Item |
As a digital copy of this item is available, the original will not be issued.
| Call Number | View In | Collection |
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MS 42,354 |
Manuscripts Reading Room |
Manuscripts |
Reproduction rights owned by the National Library of Ireland.
