Joseph I. C. Clarke facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joseph I. C. Clarke
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| Born | 31 July 1846 Kingstown, now Dún Laoghaire, Ireland |
| Died | 27 February 1927 (aged 80) New York City, United States |
| Occupation | Playwright, writer, poet, journalist, Nationalist |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Period | Victorian era |
Joseph Ignatius Constantine Clarke (born July 31, 1846 – died February 27, 1927) was a talented writer, poet, and journalist. He was an Irish American who loved his Irish heritage and worked as a newspaperman and playwright. Clarke was also an Irish nationalist, meaning he strongly supported Ireland's independence.
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Joseph Clarke's Early Life and Career
Joseph Clarke was born in Kingstown, Ireland, which is now called Dún Laoghaire. When he was twelve years old, his family moved to London. There, he worked as a clerk, which is like an office assistant.
In 1868, Clarke decided to leave his job. He felt very strongly about his Irish roots and wanted to support his country. He moved to Paris and then traveled to the United States.
A Busy Journalist in America
Once in America, Joseph Clarke became a well-known journalist and playwright. He first worked as an assistant editor for the Irish Times newspaper from 1868 to 1870. After that, he joined the famous New York Herald.
While at the Herald, he helped create a famous prank in 1874. It was called the 1874 Central Park Zoo Escape hoax. A hoax is a trick or a joke that makes people believe something false.
Clarke continued to work in important roles at different newspapers:
- He was the managing editor of the New York Morning Journal from 1883 to 1895.
- He edited the Criterion from 1898 to 1900.
- He was also the editor of the Sunday edition of the New York Herald from 1903 to 1906.
Plays, Poems, and His Own Story
Joseph Clarke was a member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, a group that worked for Irish independence. He wrote a play called Robert Emmet: A Tragedy of Irish History in 1888. This play told the story of Robert Emmet, an Irish rebel.
Besides plays, Clarke also wrote many poems. In 1925, he published his autobiography, which is a book about his own life. It was called My Life and Memories. One of his comedies, "Her Majesty, the Girl Queen of Nordenmark," was very popular. It was performed seventy-eight times in 1900 at the Manhattan Theatre.
Joseph Clarke's Interest in Japan
Joseph Clarke had a close friendship with a Japanese chemist named Jōkichi Takamine. This friendship made Clarke very interested in Japan.
In 1914, he visited Japan himself. After his trip, he wrote a book called Japan at First Hand. He also helped write another book, The Imperial Japanese Mission, 1917. These books showed his deep interest and knowledge about Japan.
