Lady Gregory, Isabella Augusta Perse

1852-1932

      The famous folklore collector, poet. dramatist, and benefactor of Irish Literary Theatre. When you read the history of modern Irish literature, Lady Greogry, W.B.Yeats, and Abbey Theatre are inevitably important parts within. The Celtic culture, Gaelic language, and folklores are important factors effecting Lady Greogry's works in her life after she met with W.B. Yeats.

      Lady Gregory was born in Galway, western Ireland in 1852 and was educated by the tutor at home. She was married to Sir William Gregory of Coole Park, the former governer of Ceylon; in 1892, Sir William dided and left Lady Gregory his estate--the Coole Park, Galway.  Later on she published her biography and met with W.B. Yeats in 1896.  Yeats was invited to stay in the Coole Park as Lady Gregory's guest, and started to collect folklores from the peasant and translate some Gaelic-Irish poetry into English.

      In 1897, Lady Gregory and Yeats established the Irish Literary Theatre in the Abbey Theatre. They encourages young Irish writers to write some plays about Ireland (which ideologically and culturally is associated with Irish nationalism as well as the Independence of Ireland. )