Fanny Parnell Poet & Activist: Irish Women of Massachusetts

Fanny Parnell

(1848 - 1882)

Known as the Patriot Poet, Francis Fanny Parnell was born in Avondale, Wicklow to a famous Irish family with strong Boston connections. Her grandfather Admiral Charles Stewart was commander of the USS Constitution and her brother was Home Rule leader Charles Stewart Parnell. Fanny’s sister Anna founded the Ladies Land League and Fanny became its American spokeswoman. Fanny’s poetry appeared in the Boston Pilot in Boston, which issued a collection of her work entitled Land League Songs. She died at age 34 and is buried at Mt. AuburnCemetery in Cambridge.

Fanny Parnell is part of BITA's 2019 Irish Women of Massachusetts series in celebration of Irish Heritage Month and Women's History Month.

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