Author
Darrell Figgis
1882-1925
Darrell Figgis (1882-1925) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
WikipediaSubjects
Books by Darrell Figgis
A vision of life : $b Poems
"A Vision of Life: Poems" by Darrell Figgis is a collection of poetry written in the early 20th century. Featuring a rich tapestry of lyrical expression, the book explores themes related to life, love, duty, and the human condition through intricate imagery and emotional resonance. The poems reflect sentiments of both joy and despair, weaving a vision that invites readers to contemplate their existence and the experiences that shape it. The collection opens with the titular poem "A Vision of Life," which leads the reader through a reflective narrative, contrasting the allure of sensual pleasure with the weightiness of duty and moral responsibility. Figgis engages with personifications of duty and beauty, suggesting a tension between fleeting passions and lasting values. Throughout the collection, the poet addresses various subjects, from the innocence of childhood to the powerful resonances of nature, infusing each poem with a distinct voice that reflects his contemplations. While some verses exhibit a romantic longing, others probe deeper philosophical questions, ultimately offering a nuanced exploration of what it means to live and love in a complex world.
A Chronicle of Jails
"A Chronicle of Jails" by Darrell Figgis is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The book examines the author's personal experiences in prison during a politically turbulent time in Ireland, focusing particularly on the events surrounding the Easter Rising of 1916. It delves into the psychological and emotional toll of confinement, especially for political prisoners, presenting a vivid portrayal of the broader societal impacts of imprisonment. The opening of this narrative introduces readers to the setting of early 1916, just as the author learns about the rising conflict in Dublin. Figgis captures his initial feelings of disbelief and distress upon receiving news of violent clashes in the city, hinting at the tumultuous atmosphere that would envelop Ireland. The narrative unfolds with the author's reflections on his own political involvement and the subsequent turmoil leading to his arrest. His transition from a free citizen to a prisoner is marked by a profound sense of loss and the stark realities of incarceration, as he describes the physical environment of the jail and the psychological struggles of adapting to his new existence. As Figgis expresses his sentiments about freedom, honor, and the repressive nature of the prison system, he invites readers to consider the broader implications of political repression and identity during a period of national upheaval.
The Irish Constitution Explained by Darrell Figgis
"The Irish Constitution" by Darrell Figgis is a legal and political treatise written in the early 20th century. The work delves into the principles of the Irish Constitution, explaining its significance and structure within the context of Ireland’s unique historical experience and aspirations for nationhood. Figgis aims to articulate the foundational laws governing the Irish state and highlights the role of the people as sovereign, a theme central to modern constitutional thought. At the start of the treatise, Figgis introduces the concept of a constitution, reflecting on its permanence as a foundational document that secures the stability of the state. He discusses the essential functions of a constitution, which includes outlining the governance framework, ensuring the rights of the populace, and establishing the relationship between the government and its citizens. Figgis emphasizes that the authority derives from the people, marking a significant departure from historical practices where sovereignty resided in monarchs or colonial powers. Through this opening, the author sets the stage for a comprehensive examination of Ireland's constitutional framework, positioning it as a pivotal moment for asserting national identity and self-governance.
The Gaelic State in the past & future : $b or, "The crown of a nation"
"The Gaelic State in the Past & Future; or, ''The Crown of a Nation''" by Darrell Figgis is a historical-political treatise written in the early 20th century. It argues that Ireland’s statehood should be rebuilt from its own historic polity—rooted in Brehon law, landholding tuatha, and functional assemblies—rather than borrowed from imperial or colonial models. Blending analysis and prescription, it reconstructs the workings of the old Gaelic State and outlines how its principles could be modernized into a sovereign, democratic framework. The opening of the work defines a “crowned” nation as one that expresses its spirit through its own State, then contends that Ireland once possessed such sovereignty and must rediscover it by studying its own history. Figgis traces the emergence of a centralized Gaelic polity from Tuathal and Cormac through Tara’s assemblies, the codification of law, and the layered organization of tuatha, brehons, elected kings, and public hospitallers, with land held corporately by the people. He explains how this system functioned, its social equity (including women’s legal standing), and its weaknesses—dynastic succession, disruptive provincial power, and the absence of a national army—which the Norman conquest froze before they could be resolved. He then surveys the broken state: invasion, partial Gaelicization of Norman lords, the Statutes of Kilkenny, Tudor reconquest, Hugh O’Neill’s bid to preserve the tuatha, Cromwellian dispossession, and the people’s quiet return to their lands beneath a landlord layer. The nineteenth-century “resurrection” follows: Emancipation, the Land War’s reassertion of the freeman’s right (including boycotting as a revival of communal sanction), cultural revival via the Gaelic League, and co‑operative societies as modern echoes of stateships. Finally, he turns to the future: discard English administrative molds, complete land purchase, and build a modern Irish State with a representative assembly anchored by specialized national councils (for farming, labour, law, education, defence) and a balancing senate—thus translating the old Gaelic polity into contemporary form.