The Minstrel Boy: A Portrait of Tom Moore
Dublin Core
Title
The Minstrel Boy: A Portrait of Tom Moore
Description
The cover of this copy of The Minstrel Boy: A Portrait of Tom Moore by L.A.G. Strong contains the words "T. Moore" written in cursive and embossed in gold. Tom Moore, the subject of this text, was an Irish poet and songwriter, most known for his patriotic tunes "The Minstrel Boy" and "Let Erin Remember." These tunes are still played today and remain an important part of Irish culture as they help to remember and honor pivotal times in Irish history.
England and Ireland have shared a long and very complicated history for centuries, a theme reflected in many Irish tunes. Interestingly, it was an Englishman who wrote this biography of Tom Moore, a prominent Irish figure. In the Preface to his book, Strong explains the reasons why he decided to write a portrait of Tom Moore, as well as the methods he employed to do so. He writes, "I have tried less to write a history of Tom Moore than to draw his portrait, and to clear away some of the irrelevancies of criticism which have been heaped upon him" (Strong vii). Strong inscribed this book “To W.B. Yeats” and Yeats is also mentioned in the Preface as a source upon whom Strong consulted throughout the writing process.
This particular edition of The Minstrel Boy has several unique features. Although “T. Moore” is embossed on the cover, the spine does not match this and instead reads “The Minstrel Boy.” The first page of the book has a handwritten note that reads, "John + Keith with all love Christmas 1942 Dad.” The title spread includes the traditional Title Page displaying the title, author, and publisher. There is an image to the left of this page of a painting of Thomas Moore by Sir Martin Shee, P.R.A. According to The Royal Academy of Arts, Sir Martin Shee was once the president of the organization (RA). The fact that Moore’s portrait was painted by the President of the Royal Academy of Arts speaks to the status and respect Moore garnered during the time he was alive. The Contents page contains the list of chapters--20 in total--as well as a smaller breakdown of the individual segments of each chapter. The text contains a total of 12 images; some of these are illustrations while others are replications of portraits, engravings, or letters from Tom Moore himself.
Overall, this book is an extremely detailed account complete with primary sources of Tom Moore’s life and the impact he has had on Irish patriotism and freedom.
References: The Royal Academy of Arts. https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/
England and Ireland have shared a long and very complicated history for centuries, a theme reflected in many Irish tunes. Interestingly, it was an Englishman who wrote this biography of Tom Moore, a prominent Irish figure. In the Preface to his book, Strong explains the reasons why he decided to write a portrait of Tom Moore, as well as the methods he employed to do so. He writes, "I have tried less to write a history of Tom Moore than to draw his portrait, and to clear away some of the irrelevancies of criticism which have been heaped upon him" (Strong vii). Strong inscribed this book “To W.B. Yeats” and Yeats is also mentioned in the Preface as a source upon whom Strong consulted throughout the writing process.
This particular edition of The Minstrel Boy has several unique features. Although “T. Moore” is embossed on the cover, the spine does not match this and instead reads “The Minstrel Boy.” The first page of the book has a handwritten note that reads, "John + Keith with all love Christmas 1942 Dad.” The title spread includes the traditional Title Page displaying the title, author, and publisher. There is an image to the left of this page of a painting of Thomas Moore by Sir Martin Shee, P.R.A. According to The Royal Academy of Arts, Sir Martin Shee was once the president of the organization (RA). The fact that Moore’s portrait was painted by the President of the Royal Academy of Arts speaks to the status and respect Moore garnered during the time he was alive. The Contents page contains the list of chapters--20 in total--as well as a smaller breakdown of the individual segments of each chapter. The text contains a total of 12 images; some of these are illustrations while others are replications of portraits, engravings, or letters from Tom Moore himself.
Overall, this book is an extremely detailed account complete with primary sources of Tom Moore’s life and the impact he has had on Irish patriotism and freedom.
References: The Royal Academy of Arts. https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/
Creator
L.A.G. Strong
Source
Manhattan College, Fales Collection
Publisher
London: Hodder and Stoughton Limited
Date
1937
Contributor
Sir Martin Shee, P.R.A.
Rights
Manhattan College Library
Format
Octavo, 317 pages, 12 illustrations
Type
Work of Criticism
Files
Citation
L.A.G. Strong, “The Minstrel Boy: A Portrait of Tom Moore,” Manhattan College Omeka , accessed September 16, 2024, https://omeka-pilot.manhattan.edu/items/show/12.