This day 83 years ago – 25 June 1938 – Douglas Hyde was inaugurated as the first President of Ireland.
Time magazine wrote of the event, “a Protestant President may help to persuade Northern Ireland that in a political union with Éire, no Protestant would have anything to fear.” pic.twitter.com/5mwcLVdWIU
— This Day in Irish History (@ThisDayIrish) June 25, 2021
1938.
Only his whiskers set him apart.
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Time magazine was prematurely optimistic. Dr. Douglas Hyde never sought public office, but in 1938 he accepted an all party nomination to be Ireland’s first president out of a sense of duty to a struggling nation. In decliing health, his wife having died, and with the assistance of his sister the quiet scholar performed his official duties. He had to greet American, British, German and other diplomats during the Emergency, listen to them and speak with sophisticated caution. Douglas Hyde’s life of linguistic scholarship gave a boost of morale to Irish society. His achievement can inspire coming generations.
that’s how all positions should be filled, by reluctant but qualified people.
top headline btw
Hyde deserved the Presidency. He was central to the literary revival.