Erskine Childers

Erskine Childers
Erskine Childers (1870–1922) was a British-born writer and Irish nationalist. He is best known for his espionage novel "The Riddle of the Sands" (1903), considered one of the first modern spy thrillers. Childers became involved in Irish republicanism and played a significant role in the Irish War of Independence, notably smuggling arms into Ireland for the cause. He was executed in 1922 during the Irish Civil War, but remains a key figure in both Irish literature and history.

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The Framework of Home Rule

The Framework of Home Rule

by: Erskine Childers
INTRODUCTION My purpose in this volume is to advocate a definite scheme of self-government for Ireland. That task necessarily involves an historical as well as a constructive argument. It would be truer, perhaps, to say that the greater part of the constructive case for Home Rule must necessarily be historical. To postulate a vague acceptance of the principle of Home Rule, and to proceed at once to the... more...
In the Ranks of the C.I.V.

In the Ranks of the C.I.V.

by: Erskine Childers
CHAPTER I. THE "MONTFORT." A wintry ride—Retrospect—Embarkation—A typical day—"Stables" in rough weather—Las Palmas—The tropics—Inoculation—Journalism—Fashions—"Intelligent anticipation"—Stable-guard—Arrival. With some who left for the War it was "roses, roses, all the way." For us, the scene was the square of St. John's Wood Barracks at 2... more...
The Riddle of the Sands

The Riddle of the Sands

by: Erskine Childers
I HAVE read of men who, when forced by their calling to live for long periods in utter solitude—save for a few black faces—have made it a rule to dress regularly for dinner in order to maintain their self-respect and prevent a relapse into barbarism. It was in some such spirit, with an added touch of self-consciousness, that, at seven o'clock in the evening of 23rd September in a recent year,... more...