Humanity Dick Martin: ‘King of Connemara’ 1754-1834 by Shevawn Lynam

Humanity Dick Martin is the finely detailed and amply illustrated biography recreating the life and times of one of Ireland’s earliest environmentalists, founder of the world movement for the protection of animals. A loveable Galwayman, Volunteer colonel, landlord-eccentric, lawyer-duellist, parliamentarian and champion of Catholic emancipation, his colourful, humorous personality is caught in this poised and readable work.

‘A vivid, thoughtful, engrossing book.’ – David Thompson, The Guardian

‘He waged a one-man battle to stop the ill-use of animals. For that alone he deserves to be remembered and to have won such a sympathetic and fair biographer as Miss Lynam.’ – T.G. Barker, The Cork Examiner

‘The book is full of fascinating grace-notes about the history of both Ireland and England in a period of almost frenetic entanglement.’ – John Horgan, The Listener

‘A courageous and attractive man who deserves to be remembered with affection.’ – Ruth Dudley Edwards, The Irish Press

‘The most enthralling book I have read for a long time.’ – Hibernia

‘The book is engaging and informative and very well researched. A real joy and a welcome addition to anyone interested in Irish politics, history or society.’ – Customer review

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

SHEVAWN LYNAM was born in Dublin of Galway parents and educated in Ascot, Madrid, France and Germany. Linguist and journalist, she was Spanish specialist with the BBC and the Ministry of Information during the War. After going to Paris in 1950 she worked for the Marshall Plan and UNESCO, and edited NATO’s monthly review from 1958 to 1963, returning to Dublin to be Editorial Publicity Officer at the Irish Tourist Board until 1971. She died in 1998.