Abstract:
This thesis examines the life and work of Catherine McAuley (1778-1841) in light of the scholarship on Catholic female philanthropy in nineteenth-century Ireland by Caitriona Clear, Maria Luddy and Mary Peckham Magray. Catherine's use of her inherited wealth to meet the needs of the poor was in some ways typical of the Catholic philanthropy of her time, but this thesis argues that it was atypical in other respects. This is particularly evident in the way she resisted forming a religious congregation, in her relatively non-sectarian outlook, and in her efforts to create systemic change rather than simply providing charity. To demonstrate this, the thesis considers the Protestant and Catholic influences that shaped Catherine's values and charitable activity, the distinctive ways in which Catherine used her inherited wealth, and the ways in which she negotiated with clerical attempts to assist and control her philanthropic work. The thesis concludes with a discussion of the social impact of the first Sisters of Mercy, the opportunities their congregation provided for leadership, and Catherine McAuley's overall influence on social reform in nineteenth-century Ireland.
