Irish-Jewish Politician, Joyce's Dublin, and Ulysses

A forgotten historical figure and hisinfluence on the writing of James Joyce Inthis book, Neil Davison argues that Albert Altman (18531903), aDublin-based businessman and Irish nationalist, influenced James Joycescreation of the character of Leopold Bloom, as well as Ulyssess broader themes surrounding race, nationalism, and empire.Using extensive archival research, Davison reveals parallels between the livesof Altman and Bloom, including how the experience of doublemarginalizationwhich Altman felt as both a Jew in Ireland and an Irishman inthe British Empireis a major idea explored in Joyces work.Altman,a successful salt and coal merchant, was involved in municipal politics overissues of Home Rule and labor, and frequently appeared in the press over thetwo decades of Joyces youth. His prominence, Davison shows, made him afamiliar name in the Home Rule circles with which Joyce and his father mostidentified. The book concludes by tracing the influence of Altmans career onthe Dubliners story Ivy Day in theCommittee Room, as well as throughout the whole of Ulysses. Through Altmans biography, Davison recovers aforgotten life story that illuminates Irish and Jewish identity and culture inJoyces Dublin.Avolume in the Florida James Joyce Series, edited by Sebastian D. G. Knowles