| Collection Description | The Francis Stuart Collection at the University of Ulster comprises Stuart's own copies of the first editions of all
his novels. It also includes many personal papers reflecting the different directions his life took. His personal
papers include his diaries - those from the war years spent in Germany, his correspondence with Iseult Gonne,
John McGahern, Frank Ryan and many others. Francis Stuart (1902-2000), of Ulster Protestant stock was
born in Australia. His family later returned to Ireland and he grew up near Derry. Stuart became a very
controversial figure in Irish literature due to his politics. He fought on the Republican side in the War of
Independence 1920-21, was one-time son-in-law of Maud Gonne. Stuart went to Germany in 1939 as a
university lecturer and remained there for the duration of World War II. He broadcast in English from Germany
during this time and prepared texts for "Lord Haw-Haw", witnessed the fall of Berlin in 1945. Whilst in Germany
he was interned by the allies for one year as a result of the English broadcasts. He was exiled from Ireland but
was allowed to return in 1959. He wrote twenty five novels, three collections of poetry, essays, plays and radio
scripts. His novels include The White Hare, 1936, Redemption, 1949, Flowering Cross, 1950 and an
autobiography Black List, Section H in 1971. Black List Section H is probably his most acclaimed work.
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