A biographical dictionary of Irish Quakers

Second edition

Richard S. Harrison

‘Eleven years after Richard Harrison’s initial Biographical dictionary of Irish Quakers there comes this second edition, with more than twice the number of entries (over 650 as against just under 300 in the first edition) … a terrific achievement … Harrison's glory is that he has introduced us to his personal friends. The first edition has been a bedside book of mine for a decade; this edition has now replaced it', Edward H. Milligan, Journal of the Friends Historical Society (December 2010).

‘While many biographical dictionaries can be rather dry, Harrison’s approach to his sketches is "to let these old and not so old Quakers speak through their lives". The more than 650 sketches range from short passages on the early Quakers, to a longer who’s who of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century figures. It includes both men and women from all four provinces and most major towns and cities … with new Quaker historical texts being few and far between, this new edition of A Biographical Dictionary of Irish Quakers is a rare opportunity to pick up the stories of our Quaker ancestors from the other side of the pond', Steven W. Morrison, Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly (March 2009).

‘Another fine gem for genealogists, social historians and students of the development of Irish industry ... [this] is a wonderful read for any student of Irish history ... it’s a joy to read, linking many of the important events or innovations in our past to the hard work, dedication and sheer ingenuity of Irish Quakers ... This is a wonderful testament to the enormous contribution to Ireland made by the Irish Quakers’, Michael Merrigan, Ireland's Genealogical Gazette (October 2008).

‘Each entry includes biographical data including family trades and occupations, political activity, geographical migrations and contributions to Irish history. Written for those interested in Irish and Quaker history, this book includes plenty of humorous anecdotal accounts as well', Reference & Research Book News (November 2008).

'Written in a lively manner and presenting interesting stories [the book] provides both valuable data for researchers and entertaining reading for the general public ... Harrison's work will be a valuable addition to library genealogical collections', Marleta Childs.

‘The “enlarged, corrected and improved” second edition of the dictionary which was first published in 1997 and is now out of print … While not a history of the Irish Society of Friends as such, Harrison gives his reader an interesting and informative account of many of its outstanding members with a useful glossary, an innovative way of presenting extensive bibliography’, Books Ireland (October 2008).