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

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.