The Irish Act of Union

Description

"This book examines two areas which although inextricably linked have previously been separated by historians: the passage of the Act of Union and the resignation of Pitt in 1801. Patrick Geoghegan argues that the two events are part of the same story. Pitt's resignation has usually been seen as a cynical manoeuvre to withdraw from office, with the Catholic question used as a pretext. Geoghegan argues that Pitt and his key minister felt obliged to resign on a matter of principle. There was nothing mysterious about it."

"The book covers the period from May 1798, the outbreak of the great rebellion, to March 1801 and the collapse of Pitt's ministry. Dr. Geoghegan's analysis is based on newly discovered secret service papers which are now in the Public Record Office in Kew."--Jacket.