Delving into the lives of two influential Johns
- Stephen Coyle
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
THE life and times of the publisher, home-ruler, land reformer and radical, John Ferguson (1836-1906), were brought to life in a fascinating presentation by social historian Sean Thomas McDonagh, in Grace’s Irish Centre late last month (above).
Born in Belfast in 1836, the son of a Presbyterian who was related to William Orr of the United Irishmen, Ferguson spent his boyhood on the shores of Lough Neagh. Apprenticed in his native city to the stationery trade, the young man passed his evenings in the methodical study of history, political economy, logic, English literature, French and German.
He migrated to Glasgow in 1860, and there he recorded: “I discovered not only Ireland, but that I was an Irishman.”
He joined the publishing firm of Cameron and later became a partner in it.
In the 1860s he published a collection of Irish patriotic songs under the title of The Green Flag of Erin, which was seized by the police in Ireland. Ferguson fought Dublin Castle for the return of his property. Unsuccessful, he published another volume containing the patriotic lyrics and ballads of Moore and Davis. His second venture was also impounded but this time, he won his fight.
With him originated the idea of active support from immigrants in the manufacturing districts of Great Britain for Isaac Butt’s Home Rule movement. He hired the city hall of Glasgow, secured Butt as chief speaker and held a packed meeting. The outcome of the demonstration was the formation in December 1871 of the first branch in Great Britain of the Home Government League, known as the Home Government branch.
The multiplication of branches in Scotland and England suggested to Ferguson the need for concentration, which he achieved by the formation of the central executive for the supervision of the branches. Isaac Butt was its first president, but the organising was done by Ferguson, John Barry—an Irishman employed by a Kirkcaldy linoleum firm, later a partner in it—and Captain Martin Kirwan, who had led the Irish Volunteers in the Franco-Prussian war.
Ferguson was the first president of the Home Government branch and made it the most influential section of the movement in Great Britain, which passed through such changes of title as the Home Government Association, the Home Government League, the Home Government Confederation, the Irish Land League, the National Irish League and the United Irish League of Great Britain.
In 1872, the Glasgow Association celebrated its first St Patrick’s Day with a meeting in the city hall, where speeches were delivered by John Martin, A M Sullivan and Joseph Biggar. Biggar on Ferguson’s advice, started the movement in Belfast and Derry and stood —unsuccessfully—for Derry as a Home Ruler in the first election after the Ballot Act.
At the first annual convention of the branches in 1873 at Manchester, where Butt was the principal speaker, Ferguson was chairman, and he chaired every Irish meeting of importance in the west of Scotland for nearly 40 years. He was a gifted speaker, sincere and forceful, and his dignity of mien, accentuated in later years by a flowing white beard, combined with his platform mannerism of striding two and fro, one hand thrust gesticulating forward, awakened ardour for his utterances for an audience peculiarly susceptible to the persuasions of his oratory.
Ferguson was the elected representative for the Calton district on Glasgow Town Council, where he championed the rights of his working-class constituents. Although he was a constitutional Nationalist, he was on good terms with the Irish Republican Brotherhood, especially with John Torley, Head Centre for Scotland.
As someone who championed the rights of the Irish in Scotland, he is worthy of remembrance.
This month, Grace’s Irish Centre will play host to yet another talk, this time entitled ‘The Red and the Green: A Portrait of John Maclean.’
Gerry Cairns will deliver the presentation on the great Scottish Socialist Republican, who was a true friend of Ireland, in a talk organised by the 1916 Rising Centenary Committee (Scotland) in Grace’s on Tuesday November 25 from 7-9pm.
Maclean rendered valuable moral support to the Irish cause during the Tan War, through his propaganda work and by utilising his network of contacts in the workers’ movement, especially the miners, to supply the Scottish Brigade of the IRA with essential war materials.
Cairns is an expert on Maclean, having written two books and numerous articles about him. He is also a former secretary of the John Maclean Society.
Admission to the talk is free and all are welcome. Tickets can be booked on Eventbrite:
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