Testimonials of Austin Clarke, M.A., Candidate for Professorship of English at University College, Galway. Five singly printed sheets, (including title sheet). Pin-hole mark to top left corners and paper lightly dust soiled.

The first a cover letter form Austin Clarke applying for the post where he outlines his academic achievements and refers to his first book of poetry (The Vengeance of Fionn) in preparation for publication after the war. The remaining sheets are testimonials from: George O’Neill (Professor of English Literature, UCD); R. Donovan (Professor of English Literature, UCD) and Denis J. Coffey (President, University College, Dublin). Dated 1st, 11th & 19th February, 1917 respectively. 

Austin Clarke (1896-1974) was one of the leading Irish poets of the generation. A student of University College Dublin from 1912 to 1916, he obtained his BA in English language and literature (1915) & an MA in 1916. In 1917 he was appointed assistant lecturer in English to replace Thomas MacDonagh, who had been executed for his part in the Easter rising. He lost his position at UCD in 1920, reputedly because he had married in a registry office. He moved to England for a time, where he earned his living as a reviewer.

His first published book of poems ‘The Vengeance of Fionn’ (1917) was well received. Review by George Russell who commented “I read The Vengeance of Fionn with an ever growing appreciation of the accomplishment of so young a poet and with still more hope for his future.”