T. W. Rolleston

Who was T. W. Rolleston?

Thomas William Hazen Rolleston was an Irish writer, literary figure and translator, known as a poet but publishing over a wide range of literary and political topics. He lived at various times in Dublin, Germany, London and County Wicklow; settling finally in 1908 in Hampstead, London, where he died.

He was born in Glasshouse, Shinrone, County Offaly, the son of a judge. He was educated at St Columba's College, Dublin and Trinity College, Dublin. After a time in Germany he founded the Dublin University Review in 1885; he published Poems and Ballads of Young Ireland, and a Life of Lessing. In London in the 1890s he was one of the Rhymers' Club; he was to cross paths several times, and sometimes to clash, with W. B. Yeats. He was also involved in Douglas Hyde's Gaelic League.

He also spent time as a journalist, and as a civil servant involved with agriculture. He had eight children, from two marriages.