Shane Leslie’s Followers (4)

Shane Leslie

Born

in London, The United Kingdom

September 04, 1885

Died

August 13, 1971

Genre

History, Biography, Literature

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Sir Shane Leslie, Bt., KCSG

A prolific figure in Irish literature and a man of letters, Leslie achieved success on both sides of the Atlantic. Christened "John Randolph" in honour of his father John and his maternal uncle by marriage and godfather Lord Randolph Spencer Churchill (who had married his maternal aunt Jennie Jerome).

He was a graduate of Eton and received his degree from King's College, University of Cambridge.

An Irish Nationalist and supporter of Home Rule for Ireland, he changed his name to Shane - an Irish equivalent of John. A convert to Roman Catholicism, many of his literary works reflect his Catholic faith.

In 1910 he narrowly lost election to Parliament as representative for Derry City. His own political ambitions were not Sir Shane Leslie, Bt., KCSG

A prolific figure in Irish literature and a man of letters, Leslie achieved success on both sides of the Atlantic. Christened "John Randolph" in honour of his father John and his maternal uncle by marriage and godfather Lord Randolph Spencer Churchill (who had married his maternal aunt Jennie Jerome).

He was a graduate of Eton and received his degree from King's College, University of Cambridge.

An Irish Nationalist and supporter of Home Rule for Ireland, he changed his name to Shane - an Irish equivalent of John. A convert to Roman Catholicism, many of his literary works reflect his Catholic faith.

In 1910 he narrowly lost election to Parliament as representative for Derry City. His own political ambitions were not fulfilled, but his family was politically well-connected as his maternal first cousin was Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill.

He wrote novels, poetry, biographies, studies of Celtic legend and folklore, apologetics, histories, and several volumes of memoirs. In 1916, he became editor of the prestigious 'Dublin Review.'

A frequent visitor and lecturer in the United States (he was half-American, via his mother), he was the earliest literary mentor of F. Scott Fitzgerald who later dedicated his novel 'The Beautiful and Damned' (1922) to him.

During World War One, before the entry of the United States in the war, Leslie volunteered for service with the American Ambulance Corps and was wounded. He was later engaged by the British government to visit the United States (1916 to 1917) and assist the British Ambassador, Sir Cecil Arthur Spring-Rice, in gauging the attitudes of Irish-Americans toward the Great War and forming an alliance with Great Britain. As an Anglo-Irish aristocrat who was also a Catholic and half-American, he was well-suited for the role in helping to sway the majority of Catholic Irish-American opinion toward support of Britain in the war.

During World War Two, he volunteered for service in the British Army's Home Guard and was duly commissioned. He was stationed in the West End of London where he served as a captain during the Blitz. Upon his father's death in 1944, he became the third Baronet (Leslie of Glaslough).

He promoted the teaching of the Irish language in schools, was a strong advocate for reforestation in Ireland, and encouraged conservation. Proud of his American heritage, in 1947 he became a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. He was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws by the University of Notre Dame, was an Associate Member of the Irish Academy of Letters, invested a Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great (KCSG) in 1960, and was appointed Privy Chamberlain of the Sword & Cape to Pope Pius XI. Proud of his half-American ancestry, as well as his English and Anglo-Irish heritage, he was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution.

Leslie and his work have been the focus of several biographical and critical studies. His papers are in collections held by Eton College, University of Cambridge, Georgetown University, Boston College, University of Notre Dame, the National Library of Ireland, and the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland.

- Biographical sketch provided courtesy of its researcher. ...more

Combine Editions
Shane Leslie’s books

Average rating: 4.05 · 260 ratings · 40 reviews · 111 distinct works

	Shane Leslie's Ghost Book 4.10 avg rating — 31 ratings — published 1955 — 9 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Story of St. Patrick's Purgatory 4.29 avg rating — 7 ratings — published 1909 — 52 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Long Shadows: Memoirs of Shane Leslie it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 2 ratings — published 1966 — 7 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The End of a Chapter really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 2 ratings — published 1916 — 62 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Poems of Shane Leslie really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 2 ratings — published 1928	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Celt and the World: A Study of the Relation of Celt and Teuton in History really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 2 ratings — published 1917 — 30 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Studies in Sublime Failure really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 2 ratings — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Salutation to Five: Mrs. Fitzherbert, Edmond Warre, Sir William Butler, Leo Tolstoy, Sir Mark Sykes it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 1951 — 8 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	An Anthology of Catholic Poets it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 1925 — 18 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Saint Patrick's Purgatory: A Record from History and Literature it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 1932	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Shane Leslie’s Followers (4)

Shane Leslie

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Combine Editions
Shane Leslie’s books