Sidelights on the Home Rule Movement

“What Sir Robert Anderson did not know on the subject of Fenians and Irish affairs is hardly worth knowing. His book… is full of dramatic incidents and exciting events in which the author took part.” The Islington Gazette
“Though for the best part of his life a Government official, he has none of the red-tape stiffness that sometimes characterises the position, and his criticism of some of his chiefs is as fascinating as his stories of plot and counter-plot between the English Government and Irish extremists.” The Northern Whig
“Once taken up it cannot be laid down… The ‘Sidelights’ are at once a fascinating story and a most valuable contribution to history.” The Globe

Sir Robert Anderson’s reminiscences covering the period from 1867 to 1889 during which time he had intimate knowledge of Irish affairs.

An Irishman and a barrister, Anderson initially gained privileged insight into the Fenian movement through his family connections in law and government. Following this he was asked to undertake intelligence and secret service work for Dublin Castle. He then went on to be installed in London as an advisor to the Home Office on Fenian and Irish matters.

In this book, Anderson puts forward his intimate knowledge of Irish political crime for the historical record. He details his long professional relationship and friendship with the famous English spy known as Henri Le Caron who infiltrated the Fenian Brotherhood in North America. Further topics covered in detail include the Fenian Movement, the Clerkenwell Explosion, the Kilmainham Treaty, the Phoenix Park murders, the Irish National League, the Dynamite Campaign and the Parnell Commission.

Whilst avoiding party politics, Anderson is a strong opponent of Home Rule, believing Ireland is better off remaining in the Union with Britain.

First published by John Murray in 1906. Further editions published by Messrs Hodder & Stoughton due to popular demand. This special edition is published by Lewisham Press, 2021. Sidelights on the Home Rule Movement is an important primary source for historians of Ireland and Britain.

Sir Robert Anderson was born in Dublin in 1841. He was a barrister, intelligence officer and police officer. He died in 1918 of the Spanish flu and is buried in Kensal Green Cemetery in London.

“From the first rumblings of the Fenian conspiracy in 1861, almost down to the present year, the author has been behind the scenes; first in Dublin, then in London; he has held in his hand the clue to the murderous and treasonable plots of forty years; he has been the trusted confident of Secretaries of State and of professional informers; he has practically wielded the whole force of the Secret Service Department as applied to Irish affairs.” The Globe
“A book of reminiscences giving us sidelights on a movement like that to obtain Home Rule for Ireland, and from a man who has held such a position in the secret service department, could hardly fail to be interesting. And interesting indeed is this book which Sir Robert Anderson has, so early in his retirement, given us.” The Tablet
“Probably few men outside the inner circles of Fenianism know so much about the secret history of political crime in Ireland during the last half-century as Sir Robert Anderson… It undoubtable throws some very interesting sidelights on the Irish agitation, and may be regarded as a valuable contribution to the literature of the subject.” The Aberdeen Press and Journal

£6.99