Little can be gleaned from the papers about Michael Driscoll except his service as secretary to the Robert Emmet Society in the late 19th to early 20th centuries.
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Michael Driscoll, Secretary of the Robert Emmet Association Papers, Mss. Gr. 236, University of Rhode Island, University Archives and Special Collections.
The documents are dated between 1880 and 1887, with the exception of two items dated 1906 and 1922. While the bulk of the letters center on acceptances and declinations of invitations to various events, particularly the talk by George W. Pepper in March 1885, there are several notes that discuss the Irish struggle for independence. Of note is a draft resolution condemning the assassination of Lord Frederick Cavendish and Thomas Henry Burke that took place in Dublin in May 1882. Dubbed the Phoenix Park Murders, they were carried out by members of the Irish National Invincibles. There is also an impassioned letter by Ellen Ford advocating for the establishment of a Ladies Land League in Newport, RI.
The papers are arranged alphabetically by subject or correspondent.
The papers were given by Leo Downey of Newport RI in 2011.