Michael Scanlan (poet) facts for kids

Michael Scanlan (born November 10, 1833, died March 6, 1917) was an important Irish writer and poet. He loved Ireland and wanted it to be free. People called him the "Fenian poet." He wrote famous Irish songs like "Bold Fenian Men" and "The Jackets Green".

Early Life and Moving to America

Michael Scanlan was born in Castlemahon, County Limerick, Ireland. When he was fifteen, he moved to the United States. He settled in Chicago with his brothers, John and Mortimer. Together, they started a very successful candy business.

Writing and Politics

Scanlan was very interested in Irish freedom. He joined a group called the Irish Republican Brotherhood. This group worked for Ireland's independence. He wrote many articles and poems for different newspapers.

He supported a plan called the Fenian invasion of Canada in 1866. This was an attempt by Irish-Americans to invade Canada. The goal was to pressure the British government to leave Ireland. Scanlan was part of a leadership group for this effort.

After this plan did not succeed, Scanlan became an editor. He worked for a new newspaper called the Irish Republic. He worked with another Irish writer, David Bell.

The Irish Republic Newspaper

In the Irish Republic newspaper, Scanlan and Bell wrote about Irish independence. They believed in using strong actions to achieve freedom. They also supported the Radical Republican ideas in America. These ideas included equal rights for all people. This was during the time of Reconstruction after the American Civil War.

The Irish Republic stopped publishing in 1873. But Scanlan kept writing for newspapers in both Ireland and America.

Later Career and Retirement

Later in his life, Michael Scanlan became an important government official. He worked for the American government in Washington. In 1887, he became the head of the Bureau of Statistics. This office collected important information for the government. He retired from this job in 1912.

Death

Michael Scanlan passed away in Chicago when he was 84 years old. He died in a hospital after being sick for about a week. He had a son, Judge Kickham Scanlan, and three daughters.