Patrick Read facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Patrick Read
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Read during his time fighting in Spain
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| Born |
Patrick Joseph Read
25 February 1899 |
| Died | 16 November 1947 (aged 48) |
| Occupation | Journalist |
| Military Service | |
| Allegiance |  Canada Ireland Spanish Republic |
| Service/ |
.svg){kind=small} Canadian Expeditionary ForceAnti-Treaty IRA  International Brigades |
| Unit | XIV International Brigade The "Abraham Lincoln" XV International Brigade |
| Battles/wars | World War I Irish Civil War Spanish Civil War |
Patrick Joseph Read (born February 25, 1899 – died November 16, 1947) was an Irish journalist. He believed in anarchist ideas, which means he thought people should live without rulers or strict government. Patrick Read fought in three major wars: World War I, the Irish Civil War, and the Spanish Civil War. Sometimes, his name is spelled incorrectly as Reid or Reade.
Contents
Early Life and Moving Around
Patrick Read was born on February 25, 1899. His parents, Christopher Patrick Read and Emma McKay, were from Dublin, Ireland. In 1898, they moved to England. Patrick was born on the ship as they traveled to Liverpool.
In 1912, when Patrick was 13, his family moved to Canada. Three years later, in 1915, his family went back to England. But Patrick decided to stay in Canada. Soon after, he joined the Canadian Army.
Serving in World War I
Patrick Read joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force around 1915. He worked in a special unit that laid telephone lines. This was important because radio units were not common back then. His job was to connect different army groups.
He served for three years, including time on the Western Front. This was a major battle area in France. It is believed that he got married in France and had a child. During this time, he likely learned about Anarcho-Syndicalism. This is a type of anarchism that focuses on workers' unions.
Between the Wars
After World War I, Read went back to Canada. Then he moved to the United States. In 1919, he joined the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). This was a large workers' union that started in Chicago. The IWW believed in "revolutionary industrial unionism." This means they wanted workers to have more power and control over their jobs.
In 1921, Patrick Read returned to Ireland. He lived in Cork City and worked as a journalist. He wrote for the Cork Examiner newspaper.
Involvement in Irish Politics
While in Ireland, Read joined the Communist Party of Ireland (CPI). He also joined the Anti-Treaty Side during the Irish Civil War. This war was fought over a treaty that divided Ireland.
Read admired James Connolly, an Irish leader who believed in both Irish independence and socialist ideas. Read served on the CPI's executive committee. He wanted the party to adopt Syndicalist ideas. This led to disagreements with the party leader, Roddy Connolly. Patrick Read was eventually removed from the party.
Return to the United States
By 1924, Patrick Read left Ireland and moved to England. He stayed there until 1932. Then he returned to the United States. He reconnected with the IWW and became the editor of their newspaper, the Industrial Worker.
In Chicago, he started a group called the Council for Union Democracy. This group helped union members fight against corruption and violence in labor organizations.
Fighting in the Spanish Civil War
In 1937, Patrick Read was among the first Americans to go to Spain. He wanted to join the fight in the Spanish Civil War. This war was between the elected government (Republicans) and rebel forces.
Because of his experience in World War I, Read was offered a leadership role. But he said no. He explained that his anarchist beliefs meant he didn't want to be a leader. He often disagreed with others because of his strong beliefs.
Read first joined French volunteers in the XIV International Brigade. Later, he moved to the Lincoln Battalion of the XV International Brigade. This group was more open to different political ideas. Read was known for being against the Soviet Union's influence on left-wing politics. In Spain, he also joined Confederación Nacional del Trabajo, a strong Spanish workers' union.
Just like in World War I, Read's job in Spain was to work with communications. He left Spain on December 5, 1938.
Later Life
After the Spanish Civil War ended, Patrick Read went back to Chicago. He continued his work as the editor of the Industrial Worker newspaper. Patrick Read died on November 16, 1947, at the age of 48. He passed away from a brain hemorrhage.
See also
- Jack White
- John Creaghe
Images for kids
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Patrick Read during his time fighting in Spain
