James Stephens and his American Patron

Abstract

James Stephens (1880–1950) had a significant reputation during the interwar years, both as a poet and a writer of short stories. Combining a Revivalist interest in imaginative texts from Ireland’s past, with an instinct for social realism, Stephens created a distinctive and admired body of work and was the subject of significant critical attention in the decades following his death. This essay explores a little-known dimension of Stephens’ life and professional career – his relationship with his American patron, W. T. H. Howe (1868–1939). Howe was a supportive presence in Stephens’ life, hosting him at his home, ‘Freelands’, for extended periods and collaborating with him on a number of publishing projects. Using a range of archival sources, this essay considers the place of this relationship in Stephens’ career and the factors which led to its conclusion.