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Liverpool to honour leading Irish author
By Tomy Birtill
A blue plaque is to be unveiled in Liverpool to one of the most influential
Irish authors of the 20th century.
Robert Noonan, who was born in Dublin in 1870, wrote The Ragged Trousered
Philanthropists while working as a decorator in Sussex.
He died of pneumonia and cardiac failure at The Royal Infirmary Workhouse,
Liverpool on February 3 1911.
He had travelled to the city to try to earn the passage to Canada for
himself and his young daughter, Kathleen.
It was through her determination that his novel was published after his
death and it became hugely influential in the 1930s and was credited with
helping Labour win the 1945 General Election.
He used the pen-name Robert Tressell.
Reg Johnson, the last surviving member of the author’s family, will
unveil the blue plaque at The Old Royal Infirmary, Brownlow Place, at
10.30am on Sunday, February 3.
This is the place where the author died.
A reception will be held after the event at The Casa Club, Hope Street,
Liverpool and all are welcome to attend.
Reg Johnson will also be attending an informal reception at the same venue
on Saturday, February 2 at 7.30pm.
He will be available to sign copies of the Ragged Trousered Philanthropists
at these events.
Anyone wishing to make a donation to the costs of the event can send a
cheque to event organisers the Liverpool Trades Union Council at PCS Office,
35-37 Dale Street, Liverpool L2 2HF.
It was local trade unionists who located Noonan’s paupers grave
in Walton Cemetery, Liverpool in 1970 and paid for a headstone to mark
the spot.
It was unveiled by Jack Jones, then General Secretaty of the Transport
and General Workers Union.
The Irish Post helped to trace Kathleen Noonan in the 1980s and gave her
a Community Award. Up until then it was thought she was dead. |
