Broken Archangel, The Tempestuous Lives of Roger Casement” A History Lecture by Author Roland Philips

Broken Archangel, The Tempestuous Lives of Roger Casement”  

A History Lecture by Author Roland Philips

Pioneering human rights campaigner, patriot, traitor romantic and LGBTQ+ martyr, Roger Casement is one of the 20th century’s most complex and compelling figures. Roland Philipps (author of A Spy Named Orphan) will give a lecture on his biography about this contradictory man, Broken Archangel: The Tempestuous Lives of Roger Casement.

In 1904, Casement became internationally celebrated for unearthing the grotesque, murderous violence of the Belgian Congo. Soon after he won even greater renown and a knighthood for his humanitarian work deep in the Amazon jungle.

But his internal fault lines ran deep: neither fully Irish nor English, baptised both Protestant and Catholic, desperate for love but forbidden intimacy, betrayed in his only significant relationship, he was of the English diplomatic establishment yet an outsider who fought for Irish nationhood. His final act in wartime Berlin – a doomed scheme to promote an invasion of Ireland – overwhelmed him, although his subsequent trial for treason brought him some resolution even as it took him to an unmarked prison grave.

Compassionate, self-deluding, courageous, altruistic, and plagued by poor health, Roger Casement was a contradictory figure made fallible by contemporary mores and his own powerful, unexamined emotions. Only decades later did an Irish state funeral finally assert his nobility above his notoriety – and only now can we fully understand his surprisingly modern and deeply relevant life and legacy.

Roland Philip’s Lecture will be followed by a Q & A and a book signing; There will be some copies to buy at the ICC on the night of the event, but to avoid disappointment we advise you to order this book in advance from The Publisher BODLEY HEAD / PENQUIN . It is also available to buy from AMAZON. 

About the Author Roland Phillips

ROLAND PHILIPPS was a graduate of Cambridge and a leading publisher for many years. A Spy Named Orphan, his first book, arose from lifelong connections to Donald Maclean and his story. It was shortlisted for the Slightly Foxed Best First Biography Prize 2018, was a Daily Mail Book of the Year and received widespread critical acclaim. His second book, Victoire, was published by The Bodley Head in 2021.

What the Press & People are Saying about “Broken Archangel..”'A book of met­iculous sensitivity and research' THE TELEGRAPH

'Extraordinary' THE TIMES

'Superbly written, genuinely exciting' ANDREW ROBERTS

'Outstanding' JOHN PRESTON

‘This minutely researched, superbly written and genuinely exciting biography explores and ultimately convincingly explains the historical conundrum that was Sir Roger Casement. I can’t remember turning the pages of a non-fiction book so eagerly to find out what happened next, secure in the knowledge that with Roland Philipps I was in the hands of a master-storyteller’ Andrew Roberts, author of CHURCHILL

“The life and legacy of the British diplomat and Irish rebel executed for high treason - Phillips is sympathetic to his subject and a careful chronicler of the diplomatic and intelligence intrigues.” Rory Carroll – THE GUARDIAN

“This is an excellent portrait of a troubled figure and from a perspective free of the misplaced romance that colours so much of that sorry time’s history. It offers many lessons to those open to absorbing them”. Jack Power - THE IRISH EXAMINER