Constance Markievicz: Irish Revolutionary

by Anne Haverty

A biography of Countess Constance Georgina (Gore-Booth) Markievicz (1863-1927). She was a child of Henry Gore-Booth, heir to the baronetcy of Lissadell, County Sligo, and of his wife, Georgina Hill of Tickhill Castle in Yorkshire, whose grandfather was Lord Scarborough. Shortly after her birth, Constance was brought to Lissadell Court in County Sligo. She went to Paris to study art, and in 1901 married a Polish widower, Count Casimir Dunin Markievicz. They moved to Dublin in 1903, where she became a committed socialist and (in spite of being born an Anglo-Irish) an increasingly fervent Irish nationalist. "She was one of the first women to face many of the problems associated with nationalist struggles and feminism which are still hotly debated today. Constance Markiewicz was also the first woman to be elected to the British Parliament and the first woman to become a Minister of State in any European government

Genres: History, Ireland, Nonfiction, Biography, Feminism, Irish Literature

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Minglu Jiang · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before I get into the review of the book, I want to start by saying first off that Countess Constance de Markievicz was a woman of extraordinary strength and courage, especially considering the time. She was an equal to the male heroes of the Easter Rising, and in many ways even more courageous and steadfast. She wasn't just an Irish nationalist, but also a champion of women's rights and workers' rights as well.

Okay, so I had a pretty good time reading Anne Haverty's biography of this extraordinary woman. Constance's life is one wild ride of rebelling against social norms for women, dabbling in art and literature, being a sniper, and getting jailed on several occasions for her revolutionary activities. Haverty's biography goes into the parts of Constance's life that are perhaps less well known (basically, all the not-revolution stuff) but are just as important to understanding her. Though honestly, though the blurb promised an intimate look at Constance, I couldn't help but feel distant from our heroine while reading. I've read brilliant biographies that have really plumbed the personalities of their subjects and made me feel like I really *knew* them (see Ron Chernow's biography of Alexander Hamilton... worth the read despite its length!) but unfortunately, this is not one of them, though Constance left so much of herself for a biographer to explore.

I appreciate that Haverty took the time to explore Constance's pre-1916 activities, as well as her family life, to show us the woman as well as the myth. I do wish Haverty spent more time on Constance in the Irish Civil War though, as that was rather rushed through.

Overall, this was an enjoyable, informative read, though Constance's personality and accomplishments carried the whole thing.

[AnneMarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful portrait of a fascinating woman, probably the most interesting of all Irish revolutionary figures. Digs deep into contradictions of a remarkable person, both out of time and class. Walks the fine line between being informative without being dry or staid.

[Cordelicacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why isn't Constance Markievicz a household name? She was heavily involved in the Irish Revolution (and Civil War that followed), heavily involved in front line fighting (which would have been and still is unusual for women in wartime), and was the first female member of the British parliament. Maybe her un-Irish name? The difficulty in categorizing her? Various elements of her story defy convention (she was born Protestant but converted to Catholicism, she was a nationalist but also held many socialist ideals, she was born into the elite but choose to fight for the working class).

As far as I can tell, she has never been played on film. In the one movie about the Irish Revolution that I've seen (Michael Collins), she did not play a part. The sole female character was a love interest.

This book draws from a wide-range of first hand sources like letters and pamphlets. I don't know what future biographers will do without letters - will emails become available to them? Or will whole biographies be based on social media posts?

[Ally · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been impressed by this Irish Revolutionary, born in a time of such entrenched religiously-influenced societal misogyny. She has popped up in so many historical accounts that I have read, but never too much in depth. Just who was this wealthy Irish woman who burrowed into the mostly male-dominated revolutions (the Rising)?

This book dives deep into Con’s life, and can you imagine my shock of learning she was actually born of an English family, one of the many colonizing households that ejected the Irish tenants into homelessness and poverty and, for many, eventual expulsion? What a spoiled, wealthy, ignorant child she was! Her wealth allowed for luxury, and she decided in her fits of boredom on her estate to become an artist in Dublin. It is there she met the artist who would become her husband and allow her the freedoms to meet others with perpendicular opinions to broaden her minds (strict curfew and laws around single women were oppressive. Marrying, if you were not shackled to a misogynistic man who would expect numerous children and household bondage, could actually be freeing for a woman like Con). We still cringe during many of her excursions, as she ponders the poor around her but simply shrugs her pale shoulders at it all.

But eventually exposure and interactions shape the female revolutionary who I had glimpsed so many times before with curiousity. Her life’s journey emphasizes that it matters little where you come from (if you have the means, at minimum, to not have to fight for survival but live in the luxury beyond these restraints) - that we can grow, adapt, and fight for what is Just if we allow ourselves that courage. Now who knows where I can find a cafe of poets and artists all clamoring for a revolution?

[elise barber-wixtrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

it didn't go into as much depth on the military maneuvres as i would have liked, but that is a personal grievance and not a censure on haverty's capability as a biographer. as a more personal portrait of a revolutionary woman, i admire this account. markievicz's development from artist to radical to war hero is particularly interesting, and i would recommend to anyone looking to learn more about either irish or women's history.

sidenote - the likeness between markievicz and collins was one i had already noticed, but haverty's comparison of their personalities was most welcome. her description of collins as "boyish, handsome, and laconic" also made me laugh aloud for some reason

[Mike Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting woman. A little mad in the head but sure who isnt. Author also delved nicely into the wider context of events occurring in Ireland whilst the Countess was up to shenanigans.

[Kathryn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

a riveting story

What a well-written and deeply researched biography of this brave and fascinating woman! No wonder she is considered an Irish hero.

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

she is just the stuff of legend. we should all be bit more wild and madam-markieviczesque

[robyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a brilliant biography. I think it's such a shame that Constance's socialist beliefs are conveniently forgotten in discussions on Irish history

[Ed Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful and clear biography of the woman who, in my layman's opinion, did more to establish the Republic of Ireland than anyone else.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

She was wild. Daring. Took care of her self. Wore pants (when it wasn't very common.) Shot a gun.

I've always been very anti-gun but she makes it seems like a very useful talent.

I have an Irish attachment and interest, so maybe I'm not the best critic; in some ways I thought the book could have been better written-- but overall I liked it. I think the key is to focus on her and not so much as what is or isn't being accomplished in the revolution(s).

This is a quote from one of the revolutionaries in the book:

"People can make kings and people can unmake them. I am a rebel and the son of a rebel....I recognize no law but the people's law...I will be in Sackville Street on Sunday next dead or alive and if I am dead I hope you will carry me there.

[Rai · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic biography of one of Ireland's most famous women! Well written and objective in its portrayal of Constance Markievicz, it was actually quite fun to read even though it was read for college (Forced reading never equals enjoyment of a book). I'll definitely be buying my own copy of this so I can reread for enjoyment.

4 / 5

[Klaudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting woman. Good read. Was everyone in the 1920's so dramatic?

[Lianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

glad to see this author to write detailed life about Constance Markieviz. there is a very little reference about her in the world of books. She is one of my hero.