There has been a scholarly interest in Sydney, Lady Morgan (nee Sydney Owenson). This title contextualizes an important yet relatively neglected author by analyzing an emblematic Irishness that was often dismissed in the early 19th century as excessive showmanship.

In this work, Dr. Donovan contextualises an important yet relatively neglected author by analysing an emblematic Irishness that was too often dismissed in the early 19th century as excessive showmanship; the criticism was not without some basis, since Owenson was an actor's daughter and grew up in the company of travelling performers. The study includes an extensive discussion of Morgan's personal papers and artefacts, housed in the national Library of Ireland and the Royal Irish Academy.