The Immortal Irishman: The Irish Revolutionary Who Became an American Hero

Timothy Egan (1954–) is an author and journalist known for his historical narratives and storytelling. Egan’s career includes notable highlights such as contributing to the New York Times and earning several awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting. His works often deal with historical events and figures. Egan's background in journalism allows him to recount complex historical events narratively; in The Immortal Irishman, he uses this skill to connect the details of Meagher's life to the broader Irish experience in the 19th century.

Egan's connection to Irish history and culture is both professional and personal. He acknowledges that his interest in the stories of Irish immigrants is partly rooted in his own family's heritage. This personal connection informs Egan’s exploration of the motivations and challenges faced by Irish immigrants in America, which he describes with empathy. His approach is to temper his extensive research with an accessible writing style that makes historical figures, facts, and events relatable to readers.

The Immortal Irishman goes beyond narrow biography, providing a comprehensive account of the socio-political context of Meagher’s life and its resonances with the themes of exile, identity, and resilience. Egan examines Meagher's role as a revolutionary, a Civil War hero, and a symbol of the Irish immigrant experience in America.