As a young child, A. E. had no real religious inclinations, although he was taught in Sunday School "about the wickedness of Roman Catholics, and the prizes consisted of books on the Inquisition and the burning of Protestant martyrs." (Summerfield 3) Inclined towards a mysticism that became an integral part of his writing style, Russell was a dedicated follower of Madame Blavatsky's Theosophical Society, a dedication that lasted his entire life. (1) His earliest impulses towards the mystical were remembered through a retrospective meditation allowing him to reflect early into his childhood. These meditations reminded him of when he was four or five years old, wandered into a park, overcome by the magnificence of the daffodils. He marked this as the beginning of his sense of beauty. The second impulse was when he remembered hearing a dying woman cry for fifteen minutes because she was unable to aid a sick neighbor, which introduced A. E. to the act of selflessness. (4)
This spirituality is one of A. E.'s most recognizable characteristics, especially during the period known as the Celtic Twilight. This late nineteenth century time is characterized by Irish artists producing a literary culture based in legend and spirituality. Russell's work, The Candle of Vision, is considered to be his spiritual autobiography, describing his growth from child to adult. This book began A. E.'s recognition as a true mystic in both Ireland and North America and began his true dedication to the literary world. It just prior to this recognition that Russell acquired his most famous pseudonym. A typesetter was unable to decipher the pen name AEon, and so only printed the first two letters. Russell was thrilled and continued the use the pseudonym throughout his career.
Although Russell's work has been criticized for being repetitious in theme, he is consistently praised for his literary sincerity. (Twentieth Century Literary Criticism 12) It is this sincerity that won him followership during the Irish Literary Revival and praise for his reverence for Celtic culture and the history of Ireland. Further, he was noted to be a "man who was seeking the destiny and the true spiritual nature of man." (23)
Although A. E. is most well known for his literary works, his contributions to the political world of Ireland were also very important. As a primary force behind the Agricultural Cooperative Movement, Russell was appointed editor of the movement's magazine, The Irish Homestead. He continued his political statements by promoting Irish Home Rule but recommended "political moderation and reconciliation with Great Britain." (Twentieth Century Literary Criticism 11) He believed in a government with two representative assemblies; the general assembly or parliament that deals with taxes, education, and the rights of citizens, while the second would be made up of organizations elected by those who participated in those occupations such as farmers, laborers, and professionals. Further, he didn't see Ireland becoming, or desiring to become, a great military power. He "held firm beliefs about the necessity of the nation and its divine origin. What he objected to strongly was the tyrannical state which would deprive its members of the liberty to seek their own destiny." (23)
When Russell was studying art and first writing prose at the Metropolitan School in 1884, he met a man slightly older than he with whom he shared a passion for poetry. It was then that Russell's deep friendship with William Yeats was started, a friendship and rivalry that continued throughout their lives. It was through Yeats that Russell was introduced to the theosophical movement where he was able to explore his beliefs in mysticism, reincarnation, and Buddhism. It was also Yeats who introduced Russell to Horace Plunkett, the founder of the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society where he promoted a movement for cooperation between "Ireland's poverty stricken and technically backwards farmers." Surprised to be a "poet among farmers," A. E. realized he could not have taken on a more honorable job and continued this work for several years. (Summerfield 84)
It was several years later that Yeats and Russell became leaders of rival factions of the Theatre Society which led to a long estrangement. This rift between the two friends lasted for many years, although they worked together to open the famous Abbey Theatre in 1904. It was not until A. E. wrote to congratulate Yeats on an article in The Irish Worker in 1914 did the two regain their friendship. However, Russell regretted the way Yeats had changed, apparently hoping that if he changed, his work would, as well. (165)
Although critics claim Russell's work is often plagued by repetition or monotonous themes, he is consistently praised for his colorful imagery and love of nature. The Earl of Lytton praised Russell stating, "His imagination is sometimes so fantastic, and the expression of his ideas so brief and sudden, that it is easy to reject his work for its obscurity, and to leave unnoticed its rare qualities of thought and feeling; but a patient and sympathetic reader will find something delightful in almost every verse." (Twentieth Century Literary Criticism 12) Through A. E.'s poetry, nature becomes a living thing to be loved. Because of this apparent love, the oftentimes rough prose becomes "a music of wild and irregular kind, a natural open-air music like the sighing of the wind, or the yearning murmur of the waves on the seashore." (13)
Considered a true Irishman in spirit, it was surprising when A. E. left Ireland to retire and eventually die in England. Part of the reason for Russell's departure was because of the death of his wife, Violet. A talented woman who Russell had met several times before, Violet was a fellow theosophist who had the power of seeing visions. Admitting he had fallen in love was extremely difficult for Russell, as he had had a vision telling him to avoid romance. After battling between his mystical and his human feelings, Russell admitted he had fallen in love and the two were married in 1898. She died in 1932 at home after returning from the hospital. Russell was distraught by her death, and this grief, coupled with the political unrest in Ireland, forced A. E. to emigrate to England. (Twentieth Century Literary Criticism 11)
A very versatile writer, George William Russell was dedicated to Ireland, mysticism, and the promotion of other Irish writers. Although he was not well recognized for his flowing verse or unique themes, A. E. was acknowledged for his love of nature and ability to describe its beauty. One critic, Ernest Boyd, suggested that Russell's repetition was praiseworthy "because words as fresh as the emotion prompting them are not always to be found." (12) George William Russell will continue to be remembered as a gifted poet and Irish supporter. Because of his varied career, A. E. is considered a great influence on Irish Literature.
"A. E." Twentieth Century Literary Criticism. Vol. 10.
Summerfield, Henry. That Myriad Minded Man. Colin Smythe Ltd, 1975.
O' Connor, Frank. "Two Friends: Yeats and A. E." The Yale Review. Autumn, 1985.
Weaver, Jack W. "AE, George Moore, and Avatars." English Literature in Transition. 1976.