W.J.McCormack (b.1947) Professor of English at Goldsmiths College, University of London, is the author of many studies of Irish literature and culture, including SHERIDAN LEFANU AND VICTORIAN IRELAND(1978) ,ASCENDANCY AND TRADITION(1985); Recent publications include THE BLACKWELL COMPANION TO MODERN IRISH CULTURE (1999) and THE FOOL OF THE FAMILY(2000) a biography of J.M. Synge. He is also an acclaimed poet, writing under the name of Hugh Maxton (THE ENGRAVED PASSION: NEW AND SELECTED POEMS 1970-1991) PUBLISHED IN 1992. This is the first collection of the major essays and writings of this important Irish critic and scholar.