Peter Gleason and Daniel Gleason

The Fenian Brotherhood, first organized in 1858 in New York City, was a highly militarized and fraternal group of Irish nationalists who sought to fight against British rule by any means possible. Their methods and aims were numerous, and, by 1871, four separate military operations were conducted in their attempt to invade Canada (which, at this time, was partially ruled by the British). During these invasions and raids, a crisis emerged between the U.S. and British governments, further worsened by the Rising of 1867 in Ireland, and, ultimately, culminated in an interesting dialogue regarding American citizenship abroad. For these reasons, this era was a particularly influential time for Irish nationalism and the Irish-American identity in relation to foreign affairs. This session will cover the Irish nationalist movement in the United States during and after the American Civil War, focusing on the perspective of John Hassett Gleason, the presenters’ ancestor and one of the leaders of this movement.