Roger Casement Papers (2012 Release)
1882-1934.
Collection comprises mostly of correspondence from Roger Casement to his cousins Gertrude and Elizabeth Bannister, including a number of letters that he wrote from Pentonville in the weeks and days before his execution. Also included are an annotated hymn and prayer book given to him during his incarceration; a notice from the Court of Criminal Appeal advising of the dismissal of his appeal (on which Casement notes his observations); documents relating to the ‘degradation’ of his knighthood and other honours (with Casement’s notes on this); photographs; his cousin Gertrude Bannister’s admission card to the Court of Criminal Appeal to attend the trial; and a number of memorial cards and letters of condolence. It is worth noting that two of Casement's letters written on 30th July and 2nd of August 1916 were written on the blank side of correspondence received from friends. Casement was prohibited from having paper to write on after the verdict of guilty had been pronounced at the end of June 1916.
Main Creator: | |
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Contributors: | |
Format: | Manuscript |
Language: | English |
Subjects: | |
Notes: | Physical description: 1 box ( 21 folders & 130 items). |
Arrangement: | Fonds |
Provenance: | This collection was purchased by the National Library of Ireland in 1952. |
Letter from Roger Casement to his cousins "Gee" [Gertrude Bannister] and "Eilis" [Elizabeth Bannister] c/o Mrs [Alice Stopford] Green, 36 Grosvenor Road, Westminster, S.W.,
1916 August 2.
In Collection: | Roger Casement Papers (2012 Release) 1882-1934 |
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Description: | Casement’s letter to his cousins outlines his final wishes including his hopes for Ireland “God will surely give freedom to Ireland. Irishmen live unselfishly and die faithfully and fearlessly for Ireland, as the men of 1916 have done, and no power of man, or superior [God?] can withhold freedom from men so vowed … Ireland alone went forth to assail evil, as David, Goliath – unarmed save with a pebble – and she has slain, I pray to God, the power and [boast?] and pride of Empire. That is the achievement of the boys of 1916 and on it the living shall build a sterner purpose and bring it to a greater end”, his thoughts regarding his death “And if I die as I think is fated, tomorrow morning, I shall die with my sins forgiven and God’s pardon o my soul. And I shall die with many good and brave men … If it be said I shed tears – remember tears come not from cowardice, but from sorrow…” |
Main Creator: | |
Language: | English |
Extent: | 2 items including envelope. |
Format: | Manuscript |
Call Number: |
MS 49,154/12/4
(Manuscripts Reading Room) |
Rights: | Reproduction rights owned by National Library of Ireland. |