Model
Digital Document
Publisher
Florida Atlantic University
Description
This thesis reappraises the significance of Alexander Martin Sullivan, the Irish
constitutional nationalist and owner-editor of the Nation, by examining his role in
carrying Young Ireland’s moderate nationalist program through the lull in popular
politics between the 1840s and 1870s. Sullivan has been routinely marginalized as an
important historical figure in post-Famine popular politics, yet his campaign of propping
up nationalist heroes and attempts at forming nationalist organizations, primarily through
the Nation, ultimately helped to revitalize nationalist politics. Although his efforts were
often threatened, and even thwarted at times, by James Stephens and other advanced
nationalists, Sullivan managed to preserve constitutional nationalism until the emergence
of Isaac Butt as leader of the home rule movement in the 1870s.
constitutional nationalist and owner-editor of the Nation, by examining his role in
carrying Young Ireland’s moderate nationalist program through the lull in popular
politics between the 1840s and 1870s. Sullivan has been routinely marginalized as an
important historical figure in post-Famine popular politics, yet his campaign of propping
up nationalist heroes and attempts at forming nationalist organizations, primarily through
the Nation, ultimately helped to revitalize nationalist politics. Although his efforts were
often threatened, and even thwarted at times, by James Stephens and other advanced
nationalists, Sullivan managed to preserve constitutional nationalism until the emergence
of Isaac Butt as leader of the home rule movement in the 1870s.
Member of