Thomas Carnduff facts for kids
Thomas Carnduff was a famous poet and playwright. He was born in Belfast on January 30, 1886. He passed away in Belfast on April 17, 1956. Thomas grew up in a working-class area called Sandy Row.
He worked in the big shipyards of Belfast. During his life, he was part of the Independent Orange Order. This group supported workers' rights early on. Thomas also fought in World War 1. After Ireland was divided, he joined the police reserve in Northern Ireland. This group was called the B Specials.
Contents
Thomas Carnduff's Writings
Thomas Carnduff started sharing his work in the 1920s. His first book of poems was called Songs from the Shipyards. It came out in 1924.
Plays and Stage Success
In the 1930s, Thomas wrote many plays. Four of his plays were shown in two famous theaters. They were performed at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin. They also played at the Empire Theatre in Belfast.
His well-known plays include:
- Workers
- Traitors
- Machinery
- Castlereagh
The Play Castlereagh
In his 1935 play, Castlereagh, Carnduff celebrated a person named James (Jemmy) Hope. Hope was a weaver from Templepatrick. He was part of the Society of United Irishmen. Jemmy Hope believed that problems in Ireland came from how hard life was for working people.
Friends and Political Views
Thomas Carnduff was friends with Peadar O'Donnell. O'Donnell was a socialist and a republican. Carnduff was interested in the Connolly Association. This group was formed in 1938 and had left-wing republican ideas.
Later Life and Legacy
From 1951 to 1954, Thomas Carnduff worked at the Linen Hall Library in Belfast. He was the caretaker there. Today, he is remembered at the library.
You can find a special Blue Plaque honoring him. There is also a portrait of him at the library.
