The Lost and Early Writings of James Connolly, 1889-1898

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The Lost and Early Writings of James Connolly, 1889-1898 presents newly unearthed writings by James Connolly, one of Ireland’s most significant socialist thinkers and revolutionaries. Edited an introduced by historian Conor McCabe, this collection includes articles, letters, and fictional works, many of which have never been republished since their original appearance in periodicals.

Spanning the crucial years from 1889 to 1898, these early writings offer a profound insight into Connolly’s development as a thinker and activist, showcasing his growing understanding of Marxist theory, class struggle, and Irish nationalism. Readers will gain new perspectives on Connolly’s revolutionary ideas, rooted in both his experiences in Scotland and Ireland and his internationalist outlook.

Rediscovery of Lost Works: Many of these writings, including letters and fictional works, have never before been republished. Their recovery sheds new light on Connolly’s intellectual and political evolution.
- Connolly’s Early Political Thought: The collection traces Connolly’s development as a Marxist, a socialist internationalist, and an Irish republican, highlighting the key moments that shaped his revolutionary position.

- Marxism and Irish Nationalism: Connolly’s unique blending of Marxism with Irish anti- imperialist struggle provides critical insights into the intersection of class and national liberation movements.

- International Relevance: Connolly’s writings, though grounded in the context of Ireland, resonate with anti-colonial movements and liberation struggles across the globe.

- Relevance Today: These early writings remain strikingly relevant in contemporary debates on labor, imperialism, and national liberation—with specific regard to the pressing popular issue of the re-unification of the Irish state.

James Connolly (1868–1916) was a prominent Irish socialist, revolutionary, and labor leader. Known for his work with the Irish Citizen Army and his role in the 1916 Easter Rising, Connolly’s writings on socialism and Irish independence have influenced generations of activists and scholars. His fusion of Marxism with Irish nationalism set him apart as a radical thinker whose ideas resonate across the globe.

Conor McCabe is a historian and author specializing in labor history, Marxism, and the Irish socialist movement. His previous works have contributed to the study of radical Irish history, and his careful curation of Connolly’s lost and early writings in this volume offers an invaluable resource for  understanding one of the twentieth century’s most influential revolutionaries.