W.J.McCormack (b.1947) Professor of English at Goldsmiths College, University of London, is the author of many studies of Irish literature and culture, including SHERIDAN LEFANU AND VICTORIAN IRELAND(1978) , ASCENDANCY AND TRADITION(1985), Recent publications include THE BLACKWELL COMPANION TO MODERN IRISH CULTURE (1999) and THE FOOL OF THE FAMILY(2000) a biography of J.M. Synge. He is also an acclaimed poet, writing under the name of Hugh Maxton (THE ENGRAVED PASSION: NEW AND SELECTED POEMS 1970-1991) PUBLISHED IN 1992.

This is the first collection of the major essays and writings of this important Irish critic and scholar.