Alice Stopford Green facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alice Stopford Green
|
|
|---|---|
Portrait taken in the 1880s
|
|
| Senator | |
| In office December 1922 – November 1928 |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Alice Stopford
30 May 1847 Kells, County Meath |
| Died | 28 May 1929 (aged 81) Dublin, Ireland |
| Political party | Independent |
| Spouse |
John Richard Green
(m. 1877; died 1883) |
| Occupation |
|
| Signature |  |
Alice Stopford Green (born May 30, 1847 – died May 28, 1929) was an important Irish historian and a strong supporter of Irish independence. She wrote many books about Irish history and later became a Senator in Ireland's first parliament.
Contents
Early Life and Learning
Alice Sophia Amelia Stopford was born in Kells, County Meath, Ireland. Her father, Edward Adderley Stopford, was a church leader in Kells.
In the 1870s, Alice moved to London. There, she met a famous historian named John Richard Green. They got married in 1877. Sadly, John Richard Green passed away in 1883. After his death, Alice continued his work and started writing her own history books. Her first book, Henry II, was published in 1888.
Working for Ireland
In the 1890s, Alice became very interested in Irish history and the movement for Ireland to govern itself. She believed Ireland had a rich and important past.
She spoke out against unfair policies, like England's actions in South Africa during the Boer Wars. She also supported Roger Casement's efforts to improve conditions in the Congo.
In 1908, Alice published a book called The Making of Ireland and its Undoing. In this book, she showed how advanced and rich early Irish society was.
Supporting Home Rule
Alice Stopford Green worked hard to help Home Rule happen. Home Rule meant Ireland would manage its own affairs, but still be part of the British Empire. Many people in Ulster (northern Ireland) wanted to stay fully connected to Britain. Alice tried to make Home Rule more acceptable to them.
In 1913, she joined others like Roger Casement to speak at a meeting in Ballymoney. They were protesting against a pledge signed by those who opposed Home Rule.
Alice was also involved in the Howth gun-running in 1914. This was when weapons were secretly brought into Ireland for Irish volunteers. She even lent money to help buy these weapons.
Becoming a Senator
In 1918, Alice moved to Dublin. Her home became a popular meeting place for thinkers and leaders.
After the Anglo-Irish Treaty was signed, which created the Irish Free State, Ireland had a Civil War. Alice supported the side that accepted the Treaty.
In 1922, when the new Irish parliament, Seanad Éireann, was formed, Alice Stopford Green was chosen as one of its first members. She served as an independent Senator until she passed away in 1929. She was one of only four women appointed to the first Seanad.
Her Books
Alice Stopford Green wrote many important books about history:
- Henry the Second (first published in 1888)
- Town Life in the Fifteenth Century Vol. I (1894)
- Town Life in the Fifteenth Century Vol. II (1894)
- The making of Ireland and its undoing, 1200-1600 (first published in 1908)
- Irish nationality (around 1911)
- The old Irish world (1912)
- Loyalty and disloyalty: what it means in Ireland (around 1918)
- A History of the Irish State to 1014 (1925) was her last major work.
