The Great Famine and the Irish Diaspora in America - Hardcover

Harris, Ruth-Ann

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1558491724 ISBN 13: 9781558491724

Publisher: University of Massachusetts Press, 1999

Synopsis

Between 1845 and 1855, nearly 1.5 million Irish women, men and children sailed to America to escape the Great Famine, triggered by successive years of potato blight. The famine and resulting emigation had a profound impact not only on the history of Ireland, but on that of England and North America as well. This volume of original essays commemorates the 150th anniversary of these epochal events and sheds new light on both the consequences of the famine and the experience of the Irish in America. The essays fall into three sections, the first of which examines the changes that took place in Ireland as a result of the famine. The second section explores the evolving perceptions of the famine over time, from the conflicted reactions of the Protestant reading public to coverage in the North American press. The third section looks at public memories of the famine and their role in the creation of Irish American identity.

About this title

About the Author:

Arthur Gribben teaches English at California State University, Northridge.Ruth-Ann M. Harris is adjunct professor of history and Irish studies at Boston College.

About this edition

• Publisher: University of Massachusetts Press
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 1558491724
• ISBN 13: 9781558491724
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 288
• Editor: Gribben Arthur