Description

"Words of a Dead Chief" is an important text from a critical period in Irish nationalist politics. Published in 1892, shortly after Charles Stewart Parnell's death, it is a collection of extracts from his speeches, including all of the best-known ones. There is an unmistakeable political even propagandist dimension to the publication. It was written for a nationalist audience and particularly for followers of Parnell. Wyse-Power explains in her preface that the purpose of her 'humble memento' was to keep the principles which Parnell enunciated before the minds of Irish Nationalists 'for whom there should be a rule of political faith and conduct'. She aimed to select such passages as were most characteristic of Parnell, of most vital importance for nationalists to study, remember and take for guidance. This edition includes the original introduction by C. S. Parnell's sister Anna. The book was an immediate bestseller. It was easily accessible to a general audience and proved highly influential, but it went quickly out of print.