Denis Florence MacCarthy
Encyclopedia
Denis Florence MacCarthy (1817–1882) was an Irish
poet
, translator, and biographer, born in Lower O'Connell Street, Dublin.
. He acquired an intimate knowledge of Spanish from a learned priest, who had spent much time in Spain, which he was later to turn to good advantage. In April, 1834, before turning seventeen, McCarthy contributed his first verses to the Dublin Satirist. He was one of a coterie of writers whose works through the Nation (not to be confused with the American paper of the same name), which had been started by Charles Gavan Duffy
in 1842. Writing under the pseudonym "Desmond", most of MacCarthy's patriotic verse appeared in this organ.
In 1846 he was called to the Irish bar, but never practised. In the same year he edited The Poets and Dramatists of Ireland, which he prefaced with an essay on the early history and religion of his countrymen. About this time he also edited The Book of Irish Ballads (by various authors), with an introductory essay on ballad poetry in general. His Ballads, Poems, and Lyrics, appeared in 1850, original and translated. His attention was first directed to Pedro Calderón de la Barca
by a passage in one of Percy Bysshe Shelley
's essays, and from then on the interpretation of the "Spanish Shakespeare" claimed the greater part of his attention.
The first volume of his translations, containing six plays, appeared in 1853, and was followed by further installments in 1861, 1867, 1870, and 1873. His version of Daybreak in Capacabana was completed only a few months before his death.
Until 1864 he resided principally on Killiney Hill, overlooking Dublin Bay
. The delicate health of some members of his family then rendered a change of climate imperative, and he paid a prolonged visit to continental Europe. On his return MacCarthy settled in London, where he published - in addition to his translations - Shelley's Early Life, which contains an account of that poet's visit to Dublin in 1812. MacCarthy had already resettled in his native land of Ireland for some months, when he died on Good Friday
, 1882 at Blackrock, Dublin. His poetical gifts were inherited by his daughter, who became a nun, and wrote as Sister Mary Stanislaus
.
His poems are distinguished by a sense of harmony and sympathy with natural beauty. Such poems as "The Bridal of the Year," "Summer Longings" (alias "Waiting for the May"), and his long narrative poem, "The Voyage of St. Brendan," are among his most enduring works. The last-mentioned, which paraphrases the "Ave Maria Stella" as the evening song of the sailors, is also marked by the earnest religious feeling which marked its author throughout life. But it is by his version of Calderon that he is considered to have won a permanent place in English letters. His success is sufficiently testified by George Ticknor
, who declared in his History of Spanish Literature that MacCarthy "has succeeded in giving a faithful idea of what is grandest and most effective in [Calderon's] genius... to a degree which I had previously thought impossible. Nothing, I think, in the English language will give us so true an impression of what is most characteristic of the Spanish drama, and of Spanish poetry generally."
(see Online works below).
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
, translator, and biographer, born in Lower O'Connell Street, Dublin.
Life
McCarthy was born in Lower O'Connell Street, Dublin, on 26 May 1817, and educated there and at MaynoothMaynooth
Maynooth is a town in north County Kildare, Ireland. It is home to a branch of the National University of Ireland, a Papal University and Ireland's main Roman Catholic seminary, St. Patrick's College...
. He acquired an intimate knowledge of Spanish from a learned priest, who had spent much time in Spain, which he was later to turn to good advantage. In April, 1834, before turning seventeen, McCarthy contributed his first verses to the Dublin Satirist. He was one of a coterie of writers whose works through the Nation (not to be confused with the American paper of the same name), which had been started by Charles Gavan Duffy
Charles Gavan Duffy
Additional Reading*, Allen & Unwin, 1973.*John Mitchel, A Cause Too Many, Aidan Hegarty, Camlane Press.*Thomas Davis, The Thinker and Teacher, Arthur Griffith, M.H. Gill & Son 1922....
in 1842. Writing under the pseudonym "Desmond", most of MacCarthy's patriotic verse appeared in this organ.
In 1846 he was called to the Irish bar, but never practised. In the same year he edited The Poets and Dramatists of Ireland, which he prefaced with an essay on the early history and religion of his countrymen. About this time he also edited The Book of Irish Ballads (by various authors), with an introductory essay on ballad poetry in general. His Ballads, Poems, and Lyrics, appeared in 1850, original and translated. His attention was first directed to Pedro Calderón de la Barca
Pedro Calderón de la Barca
Pedro Calderón de la Barca y Barreda González de Henao Ruiz de Blasco y Riaño usually referred as Pedro Calderón de la Barca , was a dramatist, poet and writer of the Spanish Golden Age. During certain periods of his life he was also a soldier and a Roman Catholic priest...
by a passage in one of Percy Bysshe Shelley
Percy Bysshe Shelley
Percy Bysshe Shelley was one of the major English Romantic poets and is critically regarded as among the finest lyric poets in the English language. Shelley was famous for his association with John Keats and Lord Byron...
's essays, and from then on the interpretation of the "Spanish Shakespeare" claimed the greater part of his attention.
The first volume of his translations, containing six plays, appeared in 1853, and was followed by further installments in 1861, 1867, 1870, and 1873. His version of Daybreak in Capacabana was completed only a few months before his death.
Until 1864 he resided principally on Killiney Hill, overlooking Dublin Bay
Dublin Bay
Dublin Bay is a C-shaped inlet of the Irish Sea on the east coast of Ireland. The bay is about 10 kilometres wide along its north-south base, and 7 km in length to its apex at the centre of the city of Dublin; stretching from Howth Head in the north to Dalkey Point in the south...
. The delicate health of some members of his family then rendered a change of climate imperative, and he paid a prolonged visit to continental Europe. On his return MacCarthy settled in London, where he published - in addition to his translations - Shelley's Early Life, which contains an account of that poet's visit to Dublin in 1812. MacCarthy had already resettled in his native land of Ireland for some months, when he died on Good Friday
Good Friday
Good Friday , is a religious holiday observed primarily by Christians commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. The holiday is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday, and may coincide with the Jewish observance of...
, 1882 at Blackrock, Dublin. His poetical gifts were inherited by his daughter, who became a nun, and wrote as Sister Mary Stanislaus
Mary Stanislaus MacCarthy
Sister Mary Stanislaus MacCarthy was an Irish poet and nun.MacCarthy was a daughter of poet Denis Florence MacCarthy, who wrote as "Desmond of The Nation".She was born in Blackrock, County Dublin, studied at St...
.
His poems are distinguished by a sense of harmony and sympathy with natural beauty. Such poems as "The Bridal of the Year," "Summer Longings" (alias "Waiting for the May"), and his long narrative poem, "The Voyage of St. Brendan," are among his most enduring works. The last-mentioned, which paraphrases the "Ave Maria Stella" as the evening song of the sailors, is also marked by the earnest religious feeling which marked its author throughout life. But it is by his version of Calderon that he is considered to have won a permanent place in English letters. His success is sufficiently testified by George Ticknor
George Ticknor
George Ticknor was an American academician and Hispanist, specializing in the subject areas of languages and literature. He is known for his scholarly work on the history and criticism of Spanish literature....
, who declared in his History of Spanish Literature that MacCarthy "has succeeded in giving a faithful idea of what is grandest and most effective in [Calderon's] genius... to a degree which I had previously thought impossible. Nothing, I think, in the English language will give us so true an impression of what is most characteristic of the Spanish drama, and of Spanish poetry generally."
Published works
Below are lists of his published works, some of which are available on-line at Project GutenbergProject Gutenberg
Project Gutenberg is a volunteer effort to digitize and archive cultural works, to "encourage the creation and distribution of eBooks". Founded in 1971 by Michael S. Hart, it is the oldest digital library. Most of the items in its collection are the full texts of public domain books...
(see Online works below).
Poetry
- Poems Published in Dublin by M. H. Gill and Son in 1882 An extensive collection edited by the poet's son.
- The Book of Irish Ballads Published in Dublin by James Duffy in 1846, revised in 1869.
- Ballads, Poems, and Lyrics, Original and Translated Published in Dublin by James McGlashan in 1850.
- The Bell-Founder, And Other Poems Published in London by David Bogue in 1857.
- Underglimpses, And Other Poems Published in London by David Bogue in 1857.
- Irish Legends And Lyrics Published in Dublin by McGlashan & Gill in 1858.
- Poems of Denis F. McCarthy [sic], with Life and Notes Published in Dublin and Cork by The Educational Company, Ltd., no date.
Drama
- Dramas of Calderon, Tragic, Comic, and Legendary Published in London by Charles Dolman in 1853. Containing "The Constant Prince" ("El Principe Constante"), "The Secret in Words" ("El Secreto a Voces"), "The Physician of His own Honour" ("El Medico de Su Honra"), "Love after Death" ("Amar despues de la Muerte"), "The Purgatory of Saint Patrick" ("El Purgatorio de San Patricio"), and "The Scarf and the Flower" ("La Banda y la Flor"). Rebound with a foreword in 1886 for the Memorial Fund Committee.
- Love the Greatest Enchantment: The Sorceries of Sin: The Devotion of the Cross Published in London by Longtan, Green, Longman and Roberts in 1861. Containing (with original language texts) "El Mayor Encanto Amor, Los Encantos de la Culpa" (an "Auto Sacramental"), and "La Devocion de la Cruz."
- Mysteries of Corpus Christi Published in Dublin by James Duffy in 1867. Containing "Balshazza's Feast" ("La Cena de Balthasar") and "The Divine Philothea" ("La Divina Filotea"), two "Auto Sacramentales."
- The Two Lovers of Heaven: Chrysanthus and Daria Published in Dublin by John F. Fowler in 1870. Containing Los dos amantes del cielo: Crisanto y Daria.
- Calderon's Dramas Published in London by Henry S. King in 1873. Containing "Life is a Dream" ("La Vida es Sueño"), "The Wonder-Working Magician" ("El Magico Prodigioso"), and a new edition of "The Purgatory of St. Patrick" ("Purgatorio de San Patricio").
- Daybreak at Capacabana (La Aurora en Copacabana) was completed shortly before the translator's death.
Biography
- The Poets and Dramatists of Ireland Published in Dublin by James DuffyJames DuffyJames Duffy is the name of:* James E. Duffy, Jr. , U.S. Democrat nominee for the Hawaii Supreme Court and former federal judicial nominee to the U.S...
in 1846. - Shelley's Early Life Published in London by John Camden HottenJohn Camden HottenJohn Camden Hotten was an English bibliophile and publisher.Hotten was born in Clerkenwell, London to a family of Cornish origins. He spent the period 1848–1856 in America and on his return opened a small bookshop in London at 151a Piccadilly, and founded the publishing firm later known as Chatto...
in 1872.