Thomas Muir – Scottish Radical and friend of Ireland

Thomas Muir was born in Glasgow in August 1765. A gifted student who graduated from the University of Glasgow with an MA aged only 17 he became a member of the Faculty of Advocates. His passionate campaigning for freedom of speech and democracy was instrumental in sowing the seeds that brought about jury reforms and the universal right to vote.

There is something of the glamour of a South American revolutionary about Muir. Swept up in a radical democratic movement which reacted partly to Scotland’s domestic “management” by a corrupt political class, and drew its rhetoric and internationalism from revolution in France, he became a kind of international revolutionary, travelling to Dublin in support of the United Irishmen of which he was a member, being deported to Australia, escaping from America and finally dying in exile in France aged 33.

It is fitting that the Irish in Scotland celebrate the life of this young Scottish patriot and friend of Ireland. Come along and hear Jimmy Watson, Chair of the Friends of Thomas Muir, outline Muir’s contribution to the struggle for Scottish democracy, and his connections with the revolutionary movement in Ireland.

This is a free event. Click on the Eventbrite link above to book tickets.

Also check out other Workshops in Glasgow.