Patrick James Smyth

Life
1826-1885; b. Dublin, ed. Clongowes; joined Repeal association, 1844; sided with Young Ireland; close friend of Thomas Meagher; escaped to American disguised as drover; worked as journalist; went to Tasmania in 1854 to effect the escape of Mitchel; rejected physical force; returned to Ireland, 1856; bar 1858, but did not practise; briefly owned The Irishman; awarded Legion d’Honneur for services in organising ambulance brigade during Franco-Prussian War, 1870-71;

joined Home Rule Party of Isaac Butt; MP, Westmeath, 1871-80; one-time leadership candidate; MP for Tipperary, 1880-82; bitter attacks on Land League and hostility to Parnell led to his resigning his seat; lived in poverty; appt. Secretary of the Irish Loan Reproductive Fund, a semi-govt. post, and suffered nationalist antipathy; d. 12 Jan. Belgrave Sq., Dublin. ODNB DIB DIH

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