Joseph T. Lawless family papers: About this Project

The Joseph T. Lawless family papers and digital exhibition is an undergraduate research partnership between Georgia Southern University's Henderson Library Special Collections and the Center for Irish Research and Teaching. The Joseph T. Lawless papers include telegrams, pamphlets, and variance of official and personal correspondence, both typed and handwritten. The time period of these documents is significant because it covers a vital period of Irish history, the Irish war of Independence, the ceasefire, the development of the Anglo-Irish Treaty, and the organization of the modern Irish State. The collection also heavily follows the visiting tour of Eamon De Valera, future President of Ireland, in the United States from June 1919 to December 1920. 

Caitlynn Hudson conducted extensive research on the Lawless papers as part of an independent study course in Spring 2021. Hudson graduated from Georgia Southern University with a Bachelor's in history and a minor in Irish Studies. Many of her courses tied together Irish literature and Irish history. She is currently a graduate student at USC studying for a Master's in Library and Information Science (MLIS). Regarding her experience working with these materials, Hudson shares "The Lawless Papers are an important resource in the history of Irish Freedom, that I had the privilege of accessioning, studying, and organizing for future student use. This path led me to working in the USC McKissick Museum Folklife Resource Center to perform archival research and taking archival courses. This has also led me to pursuing any opportunity to research and speak on Irish American history inside and out of my courses."

Founded on St. Patrick’s Day of 1995, the Center for Irish Research and Teaching (CIRT) flies the flag for Ireland and advances Irish America in the University System of Georgia, whose 26 member institutions serve around 320,000 students. The unit is committed to researching and teaching the multifarious identities, experiences, and achievements that constitute Irishness, a concept that continues to evolve and that, at its best, enlarges the ancient Gaelic principle of flaithiúlacht (generosity). Always multicultural, Ireland has become increasingly international as regards its people, economy, and system of education. In addition, it has brought to fruition multiple important DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) initiatives.

Read the full article via the Georgia Southern University Newsroom