Some Poems of Roger Casement: with a new introduction by Seán Hewitt

by Roger Casement, Sir Roger Casement, Seán Hewitt (Introduction)

Originally published in 1918 by the Talbot Press in Dublin, two years after his execution by the British Government for his involvement in the 1916 Easter Rising, Some Poems of Roger Casement has long been a collector’s item. In life and in death, Roger Casement appears to contain many decorated British diplomat, Irish Protestant and martyred Irish nationalist. He was a humanitarian, essayist and sometime poet, a public gentleman and a private lover.

Over the years, Roger Casement’s ghost has been the subject of endless controversies, co-opted into both the queer liberation movement in Ireland and the Republican movement. Predator or saviour, traitor or hero, maligned martyr or gay icon? The question depends on who you ask, and what aspects of Casement’s life they choose to hold in focus, or to dismiss as a lie. —SEÁN HEWITT

Includes a specially commissioned introduction by Seán Hewitt as well as the original 1918 introduction, written by Casement’s cousin, Gertrude Parry.

80 pages, Hardcover

Published August 21, 2025

About the author

Sir Roger Casement Kt. CMG between 1911 and shortly before his execution for treason, when he was stripped of his British honours[1]—was a humanitarian campaigner and an Irish patriot, poet, revolutionary, and nationalist.

He was a British consul by profession, famous for his reports and activities against human rights abuses in the Congo and Peru but better known for his dealings with Germany before Ireland's Easter Rising in 1916. An Irish nationalist and Parnellite in his youth, he worked in Africa for commercial interests and latterly in the service of Britain. However, the Boer War and his consular investigation into atrocities in the Congo led Casement to anti-Imperialist and ultimately to Irish Republican and separatist political opinions. He sought to obtain German support for a rebellion in Ireland against British rule. Shortly before the Easter Rising, he landed in Ireland and was arrested. He was subsequently convicted and executed by the British for treason.

Reviews

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I brought this small book back from a trip to Ireland, being curious about the writings of the the leaders/martyrs of the 1916 Rising. With its historical notes and the original forward from his cousin, this book is a gem and a near biography of just 72 pages. It makes a strong argument for how we should view great contributors to our world, regardless of their personal lives that they intended to remain private. I’m glad for the efforts made to keep this book, originally printed in 1918 (2 years after he was executed), in print, and readily accessible to the public.

[Aaron McCormick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this, it's nice to read something the man himself wrote - particular favourites include Benburb & The Triumph of Hugh O'Neill