bACKGROUND
AE Russell, from Lurgan, was one of Ireland’s most important public figures over the period 1895-1930, a celebrated writer, poet and painter. He became the intellectual powerhouse of his time and the key figure in Ireland’s cultural revival. He was deeply spiritual and used his status and influence primarily to improve the lives of others. He was a lifelong pacifist and the first major public figure to champion women’s rights. When AE died in England in 1935, the ship bringing his body back to Ireland was given an official airborne escort. After lying in State at the headquarters of the Irish cooperative movement in Merrion Square, Dublin, his funeral and burial took place at Haroldscross on Dublin’s Southside. The ‘Irish Times’ newspaper recorded that a mile-long procession followed the funeral of this much-loved and respected public man.
- AE was renowned as one of Ireland's greatest poets and writers.
- He also promoted new literary talent – he was the first to publish James Joyce, Patrick Kavanagh and, P L Travers, the author of 'Mary Poppins'. AE and William Butler Yeats were collaborators and friends for 35 years.
- AE was the central figure in the Irish Literary and Cultural Revival. He founded the National Irish Theatre Society, later known as The Abbey Theatre, and wrote its first play 'Deirdre'.
- As Secretary of the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society AE transformed rural economics in Ireland. His expertise on rural affairs and cooperation was admired by Gandhi, across Europe and the USA, inspiring President Roosevelt's ‘New Deal’ Plan.
- AE was renowned for his wisdom and rational approach - an economic and political thinker ahead of his time. As editor of 'The Irish Homestead' and 'The Irish Statesman' AE was Ireland's most influential social, political and literary commentator for 25 years.
- AE's rich charismatic personality resulted in his home and his office becoming the centre of the Irish Renaissance for thirty years. Everyone called for his advice - writers, suffragettes, politicians, artists, revolutionaries, poets, economists, journalists etc.
- AE was a key figure in the early Irish State, and the voice of reason during many turbulent years. He believed that Ireland utilizing the talents of all could succeed, and be a force for good in the world. He was a lifelong pacifist and was a champion of the poor.
- AE was not privileged like many of his friends and admirers, insisting on working for a living. He refused many lucrative financial offers, pensions and honours, even a seat in the Irish Senate.
- He established the United Arts Club, was a founder of the Dublin Metropolitan Art Gallery and exhibited the best of foreign art to inspire young Irish artists.
lURGAN & nORTH aRMAGH
Æ was born at 12 William Street, Lurgan on 10th April 1867. Although the family relocated to Dublin in 1878, George often returned to Drumgor, Lurgan and Armagh to visit his relations and friends. The family grave at St. Mark's Church in Armagh was the final resting place for many of Æ's family.
THE 2 GREAT IRISH POETS
From the moment George Russell and W. B. Yeats first met, as teenagers, in May 1884, they began to build a lifelong partnership that would prove transformative for Ireland. Æ steered Yeats away from painting and towards poetry where his great ambition and self-drive would later flourish. From 1884 to 1887 Æ and Yeats spent most of their free time in each other's company reading and writing poetry. In 1891 Æ joined the theosophical residential community at 3 Upper Ely Place in Dublin. He published his first poetry anthology in 1894 and a second in 1897. By the turn of the century he was widely regarded as one of the two great Irish poets.
In 1897 Æ published 'The Future of Ireland and the Awakening of the Fires' which prophetically idealised an idea for a new generation of hero poets to lead a non-violent drive for Irish nationhood. Throughout their fifty year association Æ and Yeats dominated Ireland's Literary Revival and impacted hugely on the whole intellectual life of Ireland in their time. In 1897 Æ also began a thirty year service devoted to improving the living standards of people across rural Ireland.
The following year he married Violet North. They established their home in Rathgar, had two sons, Brian and Diarmuid, and a daughter, Maeve, who died in infancy. His home became a neutral zone for all manner of debate for everyone involved in the creation of a New Ireland. Æ's rich charismatic personality attracted everyone interested in the literary, economic, political and artistic future of Ireland. Artists, figures from high society, Irish revolutionaries, economists, journalists, friends, revivalists, politicians, suffragettes, all called, seeking his wisdom and to enjoy being entranced by his inspirational and calming personality.
In 1902 Æ successfully formed the Irish National Theatre Society and handed it over to Yeats who had a much deeper interest in theatre. Russell's play Deirdre is credited to have been the spark that set the Irish dramatic movement alight. Countess Markievicz regarded Æ as the one who did most to give Ireland its identity and Frank O Connor referred to him as 'The father to three generations of Irish writers'. Æ also became one of Ireland's greatest artists. His work was incredibly imaginative, creative and original. He promoted and encouraged younger artists, male and female, and worked tirelessly for the arts.
In 1897 Æ published 'The Future of Ireland and the Awakening of the Fires' which prophetically idealised an idea for a new generation of hero poets to lead a non-violent drive for Irish nationhood. Throughout their fifty year association Æ and Yeats dominated Ireland's Literary Revival and impacted hugely on the whole intellectual life of Ireland in their time. In 1897 Æ also began a thirty year service devoted to improving the living standards of people across rural Ireland.
The following year he married Violet North. They established their home in Rathgar, had two sons, Brian and Diarmuid, and a daughter, Maeve, who died in infancy. His home became a neutral zone for all manner of debate for everyone involved in the creation of a New Ireland. Æ's rich charismatic personality attracted everyone interested in the literary, economic, political and artistic future of Ireland. Artists, figures from high society, Irish revolutionaries, economists, journalists, friends, revivalists, politicians, suffragettes, all called, seeking his wisdom and to enjoy being entranced by his inspirational and calming personality.
In 1902 Æ successfully formed the Irish National Theatre Society and handed it over to Yeats who had a much deeper interest in theatre. Russell's play Deirdre is credited to have been the spark that set the Irish dramatic movement alight. Countess Markievicz regarded Æ as the one who did most to give Ireland its identity and Frank O Connor referred to him as 'The father to three generations of Irish writers'. Æ also became one of Ireland's greatest artists. His work was incredibly imaginative, creative and original. He promoted and encouraged younger artists, male and female, and worked tirelessly for the arts.
Russell had a great capacity to provide practical solutions to real world problems and he modestly applied his considerable powers on the side of the underdog. However, Æ's power resided mostly in his pen. In addition to writing poetry, drama and novels, Æ used prose, journalism, letters and articles placed in the press, pamphlets and speeches to address populist issues or concerns of the day. His ideas on rural reform inspired trades-union leaders including James Connolly who described him as 'the great and magnetic personality'.
Politically, he envisioned a new Irish nation, harnessing the potential of the industrial powerhouse North and the rural South. His vision was for widespread wealth and economic stability. From 1905 to 1930, as editor of the Irish Homestead and New Statesman weekly papers Æ began to offer advice on practically everything and gradually inspired the next generation as his paper carried his thoughts into homes across the land. Æ published thousands of thoughtful articles and many booklets on the important social and political subjects of the day. After the 1916 Easter Rising the political divisions in Ireland became so extreme that Russell called for an Irish Convention of all groups in Irish society as a last chance to avoid a disastrous split. In 1922 Æ was invited to become an Irish Senator but turned it down as he believed he could be a stronger and more independent voice outside the formal political structures. From 1923 to 1933 Æ remained active as the conscience of the nation, successfully curbing the excesses of Irish Republican government.
He was equally still active on other fronts: Across the arts world as a notable painter and poet, and as a supporter of new literary talent, such as mentoring Pamela Travers and helping her to create the Mary Poppins stories.
In his last couple of years, having lost Violet in 1932 and sold the house in 1933, he spent more time travelling abroad, accepting invitations to tour America where he helped in the creation of Roosevelt's new deal, and spending more time visiting friends in England.
Æ died quite suddenly, following his final American tour, in a Bournemouth nursing home on 17th July 1935. His body was brought back to Dublin, receiving a flypast salute and laid in state at 84 Merrion Square where he'd had his main office for thirty years. The 'Irish Times' reported a mile long procession of people, turned out to mark his passing, trailing his final journey to his modest burial place beside Violet and baby Maeve in Mount Jerome Cemetery.
Biographical writers have referred to Russell's generation, when they were at their peak as; 'Æ, Yeats and the rest'
Politically, he envisioned a new Irish nation, harnessing the potential of the industrial powerhouse North and the rural South. His vision was for widespread wealth and economic stability. From 1905 to 1930, as editor of the Irish Homestead and New Statesman weekly papers Æ began to offer advice on practically everything and gradually inspired the next generation as his paper carried his thoughts into homes across the land. Æ published thousands of thoughtful articles and many booklets on the important social and political subjects of the day. After the 1916 Easter Rising the political divisions in Ireland became so extreme that Russell called for an Irish Convention of all groups in Irish society as a last chance to avoid a disastrous split. In 1922 Æ was invited to become an Irish Senator but turned it down as he believed he could be a stronger and more independent voice outside the formal political structures. From 1923 to 1933 Æ remained active as the conscience of the nation, successfully curbing the excesses of Irish Republican government.
He was equally still active on other fronts: Across the arts world as a notable painter and poet, and as a supporter of new literary talent, such as mentoring Pamela Travers and helping her to create the Mary Poppins stories.
In his last couple of years, having lost Violet in 1932 and sold the house in 1933, he spent more time travelling abroad, accepting invitations to tour America where he helped in the creation of Roosevelt's new deal, and spending more time visiting friends in England.
Æ died quite suddenly, following his final American tour, in a Bournemouth nursing home on 17th July 1935. His body was brought back to Dublin, receiving a flypast salute and laid in state at 84 Merrion Square where he'd had his main office for thirty years. The 'Irish Times' reported a mile long procession of people, turned out to mark his passing, trailing his final journey to his modest burial place beside Violet and baby Maeve in Mount Jerome Cemetery.
Biographical writers have referred to Russell's generation, when they were at their peak as; 'Æ, Yeats and the rest'
pUBLISHER & eDITOR
Æ was renowned for his wisdom and rational approach - an economic and political thinker ahead of his time. He was one of Ireland's finest journalists. As editor of 'The Irish Homestead' and 'Irish Statesman' AE was Ireland's most influential social, political and literary commentator for 25 years. In December 1915 Æ summed up his writing in the Irish Homestead as follows: ‘In their totality, the articles which have appeared in the Irish Homestead during the past six or seven years amount to a policy for the nation.’
pERSONALITY & MYSTICISM
Æ was born into a Church of Ireland family and baptised in Shankill Parish Church in Lurgan, in the same baptismal font still in use today. However, as far as he was concerned, tradition did not equal truth. For five years he applied his great intellect to religious understanding and spirituality. He came to believe that every scripture and faith emanated from the same one deity but were losing their deepest contact with that source. Empowered by continuous and strong visionary experiences, he traced his beliefs right back to the source of all wisdoms and essentially developed his own belief system.
George was a most unassuming and generous person who spent his life following a path that most people either cannot follow or are unaware of. While others around him at the time were seeking exhilaration from mystical philosophies and occultism, he was seeking wisdom and explanations or confirmations to explain the spiritual visions he was truly experiencing. He came to believe that we all live many lives as we journey towards gentleness in our personality and the self-perfection of our soul. When we achieve this we move on to a higher place, or heaven, or whatever anyone may believe follows this perfection in life. His core beliefs influenced everything he did throughout his life.
George was a most unassuming and generous person who spent his life following a path that most people either cannot follow or are unaware of. While others around him at the time were seeking exhilaration from mystical philosophies and occultism, he was seeking wisdom and explanations or confirmations to explain the spiritual visions he was truly experiencing. He came to believe that we all live many lives as we journey towards gentleness in our personality and the self-perfection of our soul. When we achieve this we move on to a higher place, or heaven, or whatever anyone may believe follows this perfection in life. His core beliefs influenced everything he did throughout his life.
aMERICA'S FORGOTTEN fRIEND
George Russell had many long and meaningful connections with the United States of America from the 1890s to the 1930s when the population more than doubled from around 60 to 130 million. He became widely known within literary and artistic circles as a famous Irish poet and painter. During his trips to the USA newspapers most commonly referred to him as 'George Russell (AE) the famous Irish Poet'.
AE also had very important and impactful socio-political ties with the American nation which was beginning to establish itself as a great international power. His personal connection with the Wallace family (eg. Henry Wallace, US Vice-President), Irish American circles and individuals such as Mary Rumsey (daughter of railway tycoon Edward H. Harriman, and lead advocate of the New Deal Social Security Act of 1935, which laid the groundwork for the modern welfare system in the United States, with its primary focus to provide aid for the elderly, the unemployed, and children.) brought him to wide attention. Mary's thoughts on how to meet national social and economic challenges had become crystalized after reading AE's 'The National Being' which set out his thinking on such matters, based on twenty years of creating practical solutions to similar difficulties in Ireland.
Mary told a New York Times reporter she believed the age of competition had passed and that cooperation was the way of the future. She said in her youth she had only a vague idea that cooperation was a good thing, but when she read The National Being by the Irish poet A.E. (George Russell) she found her “nebulous ideas put into practical form.”
AE's writings, conversation, speeches and ideas were at the very heart of American government across this period but especially impactful in the formulation of solutions following the great depression. His art was widely exhibited for thirty years and his poetry recited by himself across the length and breadth of the country. Mary Rumsey and her husband Charles (famous American Sculptor) had helped to promote the great New York Armory Exhibition of 1913 which successfully introduced America to modern European art. Charles and AE both exhibited their work at the show and AE was the only Irish artist included on the main billing.
George Russell was repeatedly asked to cross the Atlantic Ocean to help and inspire the nation. In advance of AE's last lengthy American visit (1934-5) Mary Rumsey wrote to AE saying:
'We need that touch of beauty and interpretation of reality which you alone can give.'
In the early months of 1935 George Russell had been touring the United States speaking to packed houses in Universities and advising the US Government on rural reform, when he felt exhausted and unwell. He left America and received medical care in England, but died on 17th July 1935.
The boat bringing him home to Ireland on the 18th July received an aerial flypast and salute. The following day, the Irish Times reported that crowds of people had taken to the streets of Dublin to honour AE, and the line of those following his funeral procession was over a mile long.
USA Vice-President Henry Wallace, whose grandfather had known George Russell from the 1890s, wrote of AE:
"Æ was a prophet out of an ancient age. He had a preoccupation with the intangibles which give beauty and direction to life. He was one of the finest, most gifted, and most colourful people I ever knew. When I went to Europe in 1912 my grandfather made it the number one order of business for me to visit Æ. Before I went he had me read to him every day or two for half an hour from Æ's editorials as they appeared in the Irish Homestead. Later during one of his US tours I served as his chauffeur and Leland Olds acted as his secretary. When he spoke it was like hearing a symphony which you could not repeat, but you knew you wanted to hear it again and that you were the better for it. I never knew Æ to tell a story which was in the slightest degree off colour or irreverent. And yet, of an evening, he could grip your closest attention as you listened steadily to an endless flow of words from nine in the evening till two in the morning. Never anything but the utmost humility, simplicity, sweetness and light. May God grant that the Irish may be able to produce such a man again."
George Russell was a remarkable man who laid many of the foundation blocks for the birth of the new Irish nation. He helped to end the economic conditions which had imprisoned millions of Irish people in cycles of despair, famine and disease. He was the lead figure in the creation of a self-sustaining intellectual foundation in Ireland. He was the voice of reason and wisdom during Ireland's most turbulent political period from the 1890s to the 1930s. He was a simple, friendly and humble man who had two personal goals throughout his life – the perfection of his own character and helping everyone around him to the limits of his ability.
Did you know that AE Russell was the main inspiration for the creation of Mary Poppins?
Well, that's another story.
Brian McKernan
AE also had very important and impactful socio-political ties with the American nation which was beginning to establish itself as a great international power. His personal connection with the Wallace family (eg. Henry Wallace, US Vice-President), Irish American circles and individuals such as Mary Rumsey (daughter of railway tycoon Edward H. Harriman, and lead advocate of the New Deal Social Security Act of 1935, which laid the groundwork for the modern welfare system in the United States, with its primary focus to provide aid for the elderly, the unemployed, and children.) brought him to wide attention. Mary's thoughts on how to meet national social and economic challenges had become crystalized after reading AE's 'The National Being' which set out his thinking on such matters, based on twenty years of creating practical solutions to similar difficulties in Ireland.
Mary told a New York Times reporter she believed the age of competition had passed and that cooperation was the way of the future. She said in her youth she had only a vague idea that cooperation was a good thing, but when she read The National Being by the Irish poet A.E. (George Russell) she found her “nebulous ideas put into practical form.”
AE's writings, conversation, speeches and ideas were at the very heart of American government across this period but especially impactful in the formulation of solutions following the great depression. His art was widely exhibited for thirty years and his poetry recited by himself across the length and breadth of the country. Mary Rumsey and her husband Charles (famous American Sculptor) had helped to promote the great New York Armory Exhibition of 1913 which successfully introduced America to modern European art. Charles and AE both exhibited their work at the show and AE was the only Irish artist included on the main billing.
George Russell was repeatedly asked to cross the Atlantic Ocean to help and inspire the nation. In advance of AE's last lengthy American visit (1934-5) Mary Rumsey wrote to AE saying:
'We need that touch of beauty and interpretation of reality which you alone can give.'
In the early months of 1935 George Russell had been touring the United States speaking to packed houses in Universities and advising the US Government on rural reform, when he felt exhausted and unwell. He left America and received medical care in England, but died on 17th July 1935.
The boat bringing him home to Ireland on the 18th July received an aerial flypast and salute. The following day, the Irish Times reported that crowds of people had taken to the streets of Dublin to honour AE, and the line of those following his funeral procession was over a mile long.
USA Vice-President Henry Wallace, whose grandfather had known George Russell from the 1890s, wrote of AE:
"Æ was a prophet out of an ancient age. He had a preoccupation with the intangibles which give beauty and direction to life. He was one of the finest, most gifted, and most colourful people I ever knew. When I went to Europe in 1912 my grandfather made it the number one order of business for me to visit Æ. Before I went he had me read to him every day or two for half an hour from Æ's editorials as they appeared in the Irish Homestead. Later during one of his US tours I served as his chauffeur and Leland Olds acted as his secretary. When he spoke it was like hearing a symphony which you could not repeat, but you knew you wanted to hear it again and that you were the better for it. I never knew Æ to tell a story which was in the slightest degree off colour or irreverent. And yet, of an evening, he could grip your closest attention as you listened steadily to an endless flow of words from nine in the evening till two in the morning. Never anything but the utmost humility, simplicity, sweetness and light. May God grant that the Irish may be able to produce such a man again."
George Russell was a remarkable man who laid many of the foundation blocks for the birth of the new Irish nation. He helped to end the economic conditions which had imprisoned millions of Irish people in cycles of despair, famine and disease. He was the lead figure in the creation of a self-sustaining intellectual foundation in Ireland. He was the voice of reason and wisdom during Ireland's most turbulent political period from the 1890s to the 1930s. He was a simple, friendly and humble man who had two personal goals throughout his life – the perfection of his own character and helping everyone around him to the limits of his ability.
Did you know that AE Russell was the main inspiration for the creation of Mary Poppins?
Well, that's another story.
Brian McKernan
tHE DAY ae DIED
(BY PAMELA TRAVERS, EDITED BY BRIAN MCKERNAN)
The 17th of July 1935
That day the nursing home seemed to be the still centre of a shining, turning world. His friends were scattered upon the lawns, laughing, – nothing here for tears – waiting in the hope that one or another would be sent for to have a glimpse of him. But I noticed that in the high windowed porch a bird was flying backwards and forwards as though restrained, in spite of the windows, by something only birds know from making its way to freedom. It could have flown out but it did not.
Oliver Gogarty arrived, I led him to the door. And before it closed, I had a glimpse of Dublin's Mocking Bird, its Wag, its Comus, kneeling in tears beside the bed as he kissed the drooping hand. Gogarty was the last of the visitors. When he had gone AE asked for a drink and was able to move his pillow into an easier position. 'Why should one not die in comfort?' he japed. And when a package arrived from Scotland he took a morsel of its contents into his hand and sniffed it, saying "Ah, how good!"
I returned to the big downstairs room – there were eleven of us. I do not think that one of us was less than happy. He had let his myth sustain him to the last. And it was clear to all of us that the Pilgrim, whatever his destination, was content to go towards it. There is a time for tears but this was not it. So we sat and waited, knowing that upstairs an Event was taking place. At 11pm the doctor came in and said: "It is all but over" – Twenty-five minutes later AE quietly breathed his last. At once, Con Curran stood up and said – 'Let us now praise famous men and our fathers that begat us'.
As I came out, the bird came soaring from the porch. It, too, had found its secret gateway into the light. And it was light – such light as there was, perhaps, on the first day. Never before or since have I seen such a moon. It came up slowly out of the sea, full, golden and enormous, dazzling as the sun. And I remembered the chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, the Eighth, that he had recited to me so often.
And the great moon, reflecting the sun on its Northern journey, would stand witness for him at whatever tribunal might await him.
That day the nursing home seemed to be the still centre of a shining, turning world. His friends were scattered upon the lawns, laughing, – nothing here for tears – waiting in the hope that one or another would be sent for to have a glimpse of him. But I noticed that in the high windowed porch a bird was flying backwards and forwards as though restrained, in spite of the windows, by something only birds know from making its way to freedom. It could have flown out but it did not.
Oliver Gogarty arrived, I led him to the door. And before it closed, I had a glimpse of Dublin's Mocking Bird, its Wag, its Comus, kneeling in tears beside the bed as he kissed the drooping hand. Gogarty was the last of the visitors. When he had gone AE asked for a drink and was able to move his pillow into an easier position. 'Why should one not die in comfort?' he japed. And when a package arrived from Scotland he took a morsel of its contents into his hand and sniffed it, saying "Ah, how good!"
I returned to the big downstairs room – there were eleven of us. I do not think that one of us was less than happy. He had let his myth sustain him to the last. And it was clear to all of us that the Pilgrim, whatever his destination, was content to go towards it. There is a time for tears but this was not it. So we sat and waited, knowing that upstairs an Event was taking place. At 11pm the doctor came in and said: "It is all but over" – Twenty-five minutes later AE quietly breathed his last. At once, Con Curran stood up and said – 'Let us now praise famous men and our fathers that begat us'.
As I came out, the bird came soaring from the porch. It, too, had found its secret gateway into the light. And it was light – such light as there was, perhaps, on the first day. Never before or since have I seen such a moon. It came up slowly out of the sea, full, golden and enormous, dazzling as the sun. And I remembered the chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, the Eighth, that he had recited to me so often.
And the great moon, reflecting the sun on its Northern journey, would stand witness for him at whatever tribunal might await him.