John Ferguson - Radical and champion of the Irish in Scotland

The subject of our next talk is John Ferguson (1836–1906), publisher, home-ruler, and land reformer. He was a colourful figure and one of the leading personalities of nineteenth century Irish nationalism, as well as being a pioneer of the labour movement in Scotland. Yet, despite ranking almost equally with Charles Stewart Parnell and Michael Davitt as a practical politician and strategist, Ferguson has been seriously neglected by historians since most of his adult life was spent organising the Irish in Scotland. An Ulster Presbyterian who was related to the United Irishman martyr William Orr, Ferguson arrived in Glasgow in 1860 and embraced the cause of Irish nationalism shortly afterwards. He chaired nearly every important Irish Home Rule meeting in the city from 1871 to 1906. Ferguson had a good friendship with John Torley, who represented Scotland on the Supreme Council of the Irish Republican Brotherhood.

The historian Sean Thomas McDonagh who specialises in Scottish and Irish social history, will recall the fascinating life and politics of John Ferguson, champion of the Irish in Scotland. Admission free. All welcome!

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