Christian Dupont looks at autograph books from women imprisoned during the Civil War
What was it like to be imprisoned – say, a century ago, during the Civil War, as a woman? It is easier to imagine now, thanks to historical research around the Decade of Centenaries, as well as the digitisation of archival and artefactual records such as prison graffiti and autograph books. Autograph books offer fascinating glimpses into the spirits of the more than 700 women jailed for Treaty opposition between 1922 and 1923. In addition to names, dates and occasional addresses, they often contain patriotic sentiments, frag
John Noel Smith’s journey continues with an enlivening sense of momentum, writes Margarita Cappock
