| Description | Letter written from Silverdale, Rushbrooke, Queenstown, dated 18 July. The letter is written in answer to an enquiry from Churton Collins (1848-1908; literary critic and academic). Hay gives his impressions of William Bourke Kirwan, who was under his charge whilst in prison.
The case referred to is that of William Bourke Kirwan, who was convicted c1852-1853 of murdering his wife. He was given a prison sentence rather than the death sentence due to inconclusive evidence. He was released on the expiration of his sentence, and moved to America. |