Glenveagh Mystery: The Life, Work and Disappearance of Arthur Kingsley Porter

17.9945.00

Lucy Costigan

In a historical thriller set in Ireland, America and Europe in the 1920s and 30s, Lucy Costigan examines the secret inner world of Arthur Kingsley Porter and his legendary disappearance in 1933.

 

Description

Arthur Kingsley Porter, (1883-1933) renowned American, Harvard professor and owner of Glenveagh Castle, vanished without trace from Inishbofin Island, Co. Donegal, in 1933. No trace of the professor was ever found.

Over the decades stories of Porter’s disappearance turned into legend. A strong swimmer and always fond of the outdoors, was it likely that Porter had been drowned by misadventure or was foul play involved? Perhaps Porter took off alone to pursue new adventures?

By the late 1920s Porter and his wife Lucy possessed every asset that most mortals can only dream of. But was there a dark secret that led the enigmatic professor to jump from the rocks on that fateful morning?

The truth about the secret inner world of Arthur Kingsley Porter has only recently been revealed. In a historical thriller set in Ireland, America and Europe in the 1920s and 30s, Lucy Costigan conjures up the world of Irish cultural and rural life, examines Porter’s friendship with the literary figure AE and Irish society luminaries, and celebrates the raw beauty of Glenveagh and Donegal.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations
Acknowledgements
Glossary
Introduction

  1. The Search: Inishbofin, Co. Donegal, 8 July 1933
  2. Early Life: The Scandal that Shook Darien
  3. Coming of Age: Freedom and Vocation
  4. Establishing Roots: Marriage and Yale
  5. War and Seperation
  6. Travels in France
  7. European Travels
  8. Elmwood, Harvard and Further Travels
  9. Accolades and New Horizons
  10. Depression and Confession
  11. Glenveagh Castle and Inishbofin
  12. Ellis and the Ménage á Trois
  13. Harvard Witch-Hunt
  14. Rendezvous on Inishbofin
  15. Disappearance and Inquest
  16. Verdict
  17. Aftermath
  18. Legend and Legacy

Notes
Bibliography
Index

About the Author
Lucy Costigan lives in Wexford and is the author of Strangest Genius: The Stained Glass of Harry Clarke (with photographer, Michael Cullen). The book was short-listed for Best Irish Published Book of the Year for the Irish Book Awards in 2010.