Leading Irish historian Dr Angela Byrne has announced the upcoming launch of her new book about Irish encounters with Romanov Russia.

In Anarchy and Authority, readers follow contemporaneous accounts of Irish men and women who ventured into the Russian empire during the two long centuries of Romanov rule from the reign of Peter the Great until the end of Romanov rule in the early twentieth century.

This is the fourth book from Dr Byrne, from Culdaff.

Dr Byrne’s work brings to life human connections, political intrigues, cultural influence and sweeping historical narratives through first-hand contemporary Irish accounts.

Through meticulous research, Byrne has unearthed firsthand writings and reports from Irish residents, travellers and migrants to Russia from that time, ranging from diplomats and governesses, to early tourists, travel writers, servants and even a revolutionary music-teacher.

Perspectives range from the Irishmen and women who benefitted from the imperial wars waged by the Russian state, to those Irish observers who bore witness to the horrors of serfdom and the oppression of dissenting voices.

Dr Bryne will launch Anarchy and Authority at Hodges Figgis in Dublin on Thursday 3 October from 6pm – all welcome. To register for a reminder, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/book-launch-anarchy-and-authority-by-angela-byrne-tickets-1006887847657

Dr Angela Byrne is a historian of women, migration, and travel and exploration in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. She is editor at the Dictionary of Irish Biography (Royal Irish Academy), and has previously held research and lecturing positions at the University of Greenwich, University of Toronto, NUI Maynooth, and EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum. She has published widely and was elected Fellow of the Royal Historical Society in 2021.