Anne Margaret Rowan facts for kids

Anne Margaret Rowan (born November 21, 1832 – died December 13, 1913) was an Irish writer, historian, and activist. She wrote books and articles, studied history, and worked to make changes in society.

Anne Margaret Rowan's Life

Anne Margaret Rowan was born in Tralee, a town in County Kerry, Ireland, on November 21, 1832. Her family was well-known in Kerry and had Scottish roots. Her parents were Arthur Rowan and Alice Thompson. She had two siblings, William and Ora. We don't know much about her early years. She probably learned at home in Belmont, Tralee. Anne shared her father's love for Irish history and old things.

Her Work as a Historian and Writer

Anne Rowan helped other historians with their research. She helped Mary Agnes Hickson with her book, Ireland in the seventeenth century (1884). For this, Anne traveled to important libraries. These included the Public Records Office, the British Museum, Lambeth Palace Library, and the Bodleian Library in Oxford.

She also helped Alexander Balloch Grosart with his work, The Lismore papers (1886). This might have made her interested in the history of Protestant families who settled in Kerry. Anne wrote many books and articles. She wrote both history and stories. She used her own name and a pen name, Amos Reade. She often wrote about Kerry history for the Kerry Evening Post newspaper. In 1894, Anne joined the Society of Women Journalists. This was very soon after it started.

Her Political Activities

For 25 years, Anne Rowan was a leader for the Kerry branch of the Irish Unionist Alliance. This group wanted Ireland to stay part of the United Kingdom. She worked hard against the idea of Home Rule in the 1890s. Home Rule meant Ireland would govern itself, but Anne believed this would cause problems.

She was also a member of the Primrose League. This was a group that supported conservative ideas. She traveled around Britain and Ireland in the early 1890s. She gave speeches as the secretary of Tralee's St Brendan's group of the League. In England, she warned that an independent Ireland could be a danger to Great Britain. She strongly believed Ireland should stay in the union. She thought Ireland would become chaotic if it got Home Rule. When she spoke to Irish people, she used different arguments. She reminded them that Irish people were similar to Scots and Welsh people. She also said Ireland would struggle without being part of the Union.

Helping Her Community

In 1892, Anne organized talks to help people learn about the lives of workers in Tralee. In 1897, she was chosen to be on the board of poor law guardians for the Tralee area. In this role, she helped improve medical care for working-class women in Tralee. In 1899, she tried to become a district councilor for Tralee, but she did not win.

During the Second Boer War, she was the secretary of the Kerry branch of the SSAFA. This group helped families of soldiers and sailors. Anne lived most of her life with her brother at 7 Prince's Quay, Tralee. She passed away on December 13, 1913, at Clonskeagh Castle in Dublin. She is buried at Mount Jerome Cemetery and Crematorium. Her headstone has a special message: "She hath done what she could."