Professor in Erin

Originally serialised in the early twentieth century and first published in 1918, The Professor in Erin is a pioneering work of speculative fiction and an early example of the ‘alternative history’ novel. Much sought-after by science-fiction diehards, the book has been hard for modern readers to find – until now.

German scholar exploring ruins in Ireland hits his head in a fall. He wakes to find himself in a parallel universe: an Ireland that never was, free of foreign rule since winning the Battle of Kinsale. In this powerful, independent nation, Irish language and culture are flourishing. As Professor Schliemann struggles to make sense of this unfamiliar world and tries to find his way home, he becomes entangled in political intrigue, espionage, and a long-standing feud over stolen rare books feeding dynastic tensions on the brink of war. Worse than that: no one in this version of Ireland has read his book. Originally serialised in the early twentieth century and first published in 1918, The Professor in Erin is the very first alternate history book by a woman author; a pioneer work within the history of world literature that deserves attention far beyond Ireland. Blending satire with nationalism and imaginative world-building, Charlotte Elizabeth McManus''s novel offers a rich and witty vision of an alternative Ireland. This lost cult classic has been edited and introduced by Joachim Fischer with detailed historical context for new readers.