Joseph Johnston (Irish politician) facts for kids
Joseph Johnston (born 1890 – died 1972) was an Irish academic, farmer, writer, and politician. He was known for his work in economics and his time serving in the Irish parliament.
Early Life and Education
Joseph Johnston was born in 1890 in a place called Toomog, near Castlecaulfield in County Tyrone. His father, John Johnston, was a teacher at a national school. His mother was Mary Geddis. Joseph came from a Presbyterian family with Ulster-Scots roots.
He went to school at Royal School Dungannon from 1902 to 1906. After that, he studied at Trinity College Dublin from 1906 to 1910. He earned a degree in Classics, which means he studied ancient Greek and Roman languages and cultures. He continued his studies at Lincoln College, Oxford from 1910 to 1912.
Career and Ideas
Joseph Johnston was a strong supporter of Home Rule. This was a movement that wanted Ireland to have more control over its own laws, rather than being fully ruled by Britain. He wrote a book about this topic in 1913 called Civil War in Ulster.
Later, in 1939, he became a Professor of Applied Economics at Trinity College Dublin. This meant he taught and researched how economic ideas could be used in real-world situations. He also wrote another important book in 1934 called The Nemesis of Economic Nationalism. This book looked at the problems that can arise when countries focus too much on their own economy and not enough on working with others.
Political Career
Joseph Johnston was involved in Irish politics. He was first elected to Seanad Éireann in 1938. The Seanad Éireann is the upper house of the Irish parliament, similar to a Senate. He was an Independent member, meaning he didn't belong to a specific political party. He represented the Dublin University constituency, which was a special voting area for graduates of Trinity College Dublin.
He was re-elected to the Seanad a few times, serving in the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th Seanad. However, he lost his seat in the elections of 1943 and 1948. In 1951, the Taoiseach (the head of the Irish government) nominated him to the 7th Seanad. He lost his seat again in the 1954 election.
Family Life
Joseph Johnston had a son named Roy Johnston. Roy became a theoretical physicist and was also known as a republican activist. Joseph's daughter, Dr Maureen Carmody, was also involved in politics. She was a member of the National Executive of the Irish Labour Party for many years. She was also an elected member of the Nenagh Town Council at one point.
Books
- 1913 – Civil War in Ulster - Its Objects & Probable Results
- 1925 – A Groundwork of Economics
- 1934 – The Nemesis of Economic Nationalism
- 1951 – Irish Agriculture in Transition
- 1962 – Why Ireland Needs the Common Market
- 1966 – Irish Economic Headaches: A Diagnosis
- 1970 – Bishop Berkeley's Querist in Historical Perspective
