Intrepid traveller and intimate of kings, emperors and despots, the range and diversity of Sligo’s life is breathtaking. From a youth of hedonistic self-indulgence in Regency England to a reforming, responsible legislator and landlord, Sligo became enshrined in the history of Jamaica as ‘Emancipator of the Slaves’ and in Ireland as ‘The Poor Man’s Friend’ during the most difficult of times.

Privileged, compassionate, charismatic and flawed, Sligo was a larger-than-life figure in his time, but is less well known today. This exhaustively researched biography, previously published in hardback as The Great Leviathan, is sourced from over 15,000 primary contemporary manuscripts and not only introduces us to one of the 19th century’s most interesting characters, but sheds new light on significant historical events and on the people who shaped them in Ireland, England, Europe and the West Indies during a period of momentous political turbulence and change.

About the Author

Anne Chambers is a biographer, novelist and screenwriter. Her books include Grace O’Malley – Ireland’s Pirate Queen, Eleanor, Countess of Desmond, La Sheridan: Adorable Diva, Ranji: Maharajah of Connemara, At Arm’s Length: Aristocrats in the Republic of Ireland and TK Whitaker: Portrait of a Patriot. Her books have been the subject of TV and radio documentaries for Discovery, the Learning Channel, the Travel Channel, RTÉ, Lyric FM and the BBC.