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=                           Edmund_Downey                            =
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                            Introduction
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Edmund Downey ('nom de plume' F. M. Allen) (24 July 1856, in Waterford
- 11 February 1937, in Waterford) was an Irish novelist, newspaper
editor, and publisher.

After education at Catholic University High School, Waterford and St.
John's College, Waterford, Edmund Downey went to London and worked
there as a journalist from 1878 to 1906. He was active in the
Southwark Irish Literary Club. With William Tinsley, Edmund Downey was
the co-editor of 'Tinsley's Magazine' from autumn 1879 to September
1884.

In 1884 Osbert Ward (1857-1949) and Edmund Downey were the co-founders
of Ward & Downey, which published 277 titles from 1884 to 1897.
Ward & Downey published many books of outstanding literary value
by Irish authors, including John Augustus O'Shea, Richard Dowling
(Downey's cousin), Richard Ashe King, Standish O'Grady, Hester
Sigerson ("A Ruined Race"), and Joseph Fogerty, as well as the
English-born Tighe Hopkins, whose parents were born in Ireland. Downey
left the firm in 1890 and started a publishing company under his own
name in 1894. He wrote more than 20 books; some were published by
Heinemann, by Chatto & Windus, and by various American
corresponding publishers, chiefly Appleton and Pratt. Several of his
novels belong to the genre of fantasy or science fiction.

In 1906 Downey returned to his native city to become the proprietor
and editor of the 'Waterford News'. His newspaper supported Sinn Féin,
and he became Sinn Féin's honorary treasurer during the Irish War of
Independence. Downey supported Fianna Fáil upon its foundation in
1926.

His first wife was Frances Margaret Downey née Allen, who died in
1918; they had 7 children. His second wife was Bridget Josephine
Downey née Quinlan (1898-1983).


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