With the Poor People of the Earth

international | history of anarchism | press release Friday June 03, 2005 04:18 by KSL - Kate Sharpley Library

A Biography of Doctor John Creaghe of Sheffield & Buenos Aires

Biography of the Irish activist (active in Sheffield, UK, Buenos Aires & Mexico) now available...

Out now:
With the Poor People of the Earth: A Biography of Doctor John Creaghe of Sheffield & Buenos Aires
by Alan O'Toole.

Irishman John (Juan) Creaghe (1841-1920) turned his back on the chance of a prosperous medical career to live - and struggle - among the workers. He spent an extraordinary lifetime working for anarchism: fighting bailiffs and establishing the scurrilous "Sheffield Anarchist", working in Argentina on "La Protesta", (for years the main voice of the labour movement), and supporting the Mexican anarchist Flores Magon brothers at the time of the Mexican revolution.

Mat Kavanagh, speaking of Creaghe, in Freedom in 1934, said, "He was one of those remarkable personalities that Anarchism alone seems able to produce, who, seeking not place or power, live to serve the cause of Human Emancipation… August Spies, one of the Chicago Martyrs… described Anarchists as 'stormy petrels, harbingers of the coming storm'. This description very aptly fitted Dr Creaghe".

Alan O'Toole's biography rescues the story of this inspiring figure and his worldwide agitation.

Published by the Kate Sharpley Library, 2005.
Anarchist Library Series #7
ISBN: 1873605781 £3(£2 to individuals) /$3
www.katesharpleylibrary.net