Selected Political Writings

by James Connolly, Owen Dudley Edwards (Editor), Bernard Ransom (Editor)

In 1916, James Connolly was executed by the British for his part in the Easter Rising. His early activism in the Scottish labour movement; his pioneering socialism in Ireland; his involvement in the American Labour movement; his activity as a union organizer back in Ireland; his revolutionary stand against World War I; and his ultimately fatal leadership of the 1916 uprising for Irish independence, all point to a crucial figure in the development of the workers' movement during one of its most intriguing phases. A tireless political worker and a prolific writer, Connolly's thinking on nationalism and imperialism had an influence on Lenin and he is regarded by many as one of the founders of 20th-century Irish nationalism. This book of his writings draws together some of his most representative work.

382 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1973

About the author

James Connolly (Irish: Séamas Ó Conghaile) was an Irish socialist leader. He was born in the Cowgate area of Edinburgh, Scotland, to Irish immigrant parents. He left school for working life at the age of 11, but became one of the leading Marxist theorists of his day. Though proud of his Irish background, he also took a role in Scottish and American politics. He was executed by a British firing squad because of his leadership role in the Easter Rising of 1916.