Bulmer Hobson : an Ulster nationalist 1902-1908

This thesis looks at Bulmer Hobson, the Irish nationalist and Quaker. It is not concerned with the later phase of Hobson's career, fi•om 1908 when he was based in Dublin, but with the earlier one in Ulster. The thesis charts Hobson's formative years and the important influences on him during this period. The early part of the thesis pays particular attention to Hobson's Quakerism and nationalism and the interaction between the two. It looks at the development of this synthesis which provided the basis for Hobson's 'defensive warfare' programme which served as a blueprint for achieving independence from the British and which Hobson applied through the Irish independence movement, Sinn Fein. As part of this the thesis looks at Hobson's early work, both with and in setting up cultural nationalist organizations in Belfast. From here, the thesis goes on to look at how Hobson incorporated Quaker and nationalist influences into his later nationalist work in Ulster, paying particular attention to the work of Hobson's organization, the Dungannon Club. The second part of the thesis looks at the formation and expansion of this organization and its successor, the Sinn Fein League. In looking at both, the thesis examines the two organizations' relationships with other Sinn Fein and non Sinn Fein organizations, as well as the advanced nationalist organization, the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB). While the thesis is concerned with Hobson's career in Ulster, it does not look at this in isolation from the rest of the Irish nationalist movement; instead it links it to wider developments in Ireland, Britain and America. As part of this, particular attention is paid to organizations like the Irish Republican Brotherhood, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Independent Orange Order, the United Irish League and Clan-naGael. The thesis looks at how Hobson tried to pull these various organizations together, as part of a new 'Young Ireland' movement based around his socioeconomic programme, but it recognises this ultimately failed.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo