Letter from Henry W. Nevinson to Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, 9 May 1916 Letters 1916-1923 Henry W. Nevinson

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In this letter from Henry W. Nevinson (1856-1941) to Hanna Sheehy Skeffington (1877-1946), Henry expresses his grief over the death of Hanna's husband, Francis. He discusses the rumors that circulated regarding the cause of death and tells her hopes that people will learn the truth about his horrific death. Henry Nevinson was a British war correspondent, political commentator, and suffragist. Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, suffragette, nationalist, language teacher, was the founder of the Irish Women’s Franchise League and a founding member of the Irish Women Workers’ Union. She was the widow of Francis Sheehy-Skeffington who was summarily executed on 26 April 1916. She was active during the Rising, bringing food to the Volunteers in the G.P.O. and the College of Surgeons. Four days passed before she found out what had happened to her husband, Francis (1878-1916), and it wasn't until almost two weeks later that the full details of his execution emerged.

 National Library of Ireland Sheehy-Skeffington Papers, Collection List No.47; MS 33,605/3-2 https://letters1916.ie/item/3580 English Henry W. Nevinson 1916-05-09 4 Downside Crescent, Hampstead, N.W. Hanna Sheehy Skeffington Male 1941 Easter Rising Ireland 1916 Easter Rising Ireland 1916 Politics

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 Copied FROM HENRY. W.NEVINSON,4, DOWNSIDE CRESCENT,HAMPSTEAD, N.W. May 9/16 Your letter of the 4threached me only yesterdayas I was away. It did notappear to have been opened ordelayed. Oh, my dear Mrs Skeffington,I cannot express to you mygrief. Soon after the event I sawin the Manchester Guardian thatyour husband had been founddead in the streets. Heart failurewas suggested. I only hoped thatcause was true. Now comes your terriblenews, and in yesterday'sM.G. there is an account ofthe unauthorised shooting of three men in Portobello Barracks,your husband being supposed tohave been one. An official enquiryis promised. But what is thecomfort of an inquiry now? I and other friends areconsulting as to the best meansof making the truth known. Today I hope to see M.J.Sabout it, and probably weshall write to the best papers. You know what living undera dispotism means, but stillwe will do out utmost to letpeople know the truth about yourhusband. It is a bitter grief to usall, so brave & honourable, & unselfish& enlightened a man! I spokeof his death & the meaning of hislife to a large meeting lastWedn! The audience was deeplymoved. I will write again. My heart is with you in your sorrowH.W.N Henry W. Nevinson Letter from Henry W. Nevinson to Gertrude Bannister, 10 July 1916Letter from Henry W. Nevinson to Gertrude Bannister, 12 July 1916Letter from Henry W. Nevinson to Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, 9 May 1916 4 Downside Crescent, Hampstead, N.W. Letter from Henry W. Nevinson to Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, 9 May 1916