Author Description

Alexander Somerville's unique account of the Irish famine was first published in 1852. However, as it was contained within a much longer three-volume work on free trade, titled The Whistler at the Plough, it remained unknown to most historians. This newly set edition contains a detailed introduction by Dr Keith Snell. Somerville's letters were addressed from some 23 towns making this book a valuable source for local as well as national history.