Book of Ryans - The 20th Century
The Australians and War
The Irish were sent to Australia after the American Revolution to serve sentences ranging from 7 to 14 years for thievery, insurrection, and other crimes. As they won their redemption, they became an integral part of the established Australian culture, and among their ranks a few found fortunes as freemen. The Irish of New South Wales, in particular, built personal empires that would have rivaled ancient Gaelic lordships. Their resourcefulness led them, who were patriarchal by nature anyway, to become one of the most powerful ethnic group in early Australian history. A great deal has been written concerning their achievements, but Patrick O'Farrell perhaps described it best when he wrote that their need for riches was to "affirm dignity of triumph over stigma of penal servitude."[1] The most successful Irishman to overcome this stigma was Ned Ryan who received his freedom in 1830. By 1850 his heirs had accumulated nearly a quarter million acres in Galong, and they along with other men of Irish descent became very powerful in the new continent. Large Irish landowners were able to carve a power base which was nearly absolute, and in many areas of Australia these landed 'gentry' nearly assumed an aristocratic status. This unprecedented 'royalty' in New South Wales created a wealthy class that spent extravagantly, and this new breed of gentlemen seemed only concerned with worldly pleasures. The patriarch of the Galong Ryans also exhibited these majestic characteristics, as it was said that "his personal style, gruff, quick-tempered, and his lavish hospitality fitted the lordly image."[2] Even his son, John Nagle Ryan continued this auspicious custom as his acquaintances would later comment that, "Everything was on a scale of barbaric grandeur not elsewhere to be enjoyed."[3] As the Irish profited from their ambitions as successful farmers, merchants, and businessmen, it was inevitable that they and their children would migrate to the political machines in the sub-continent. Their political ambitions were molded by the humiliations their parents and grandparents suffered while prisoners in Penal Australia, and this liberal attitude was reinforced by the anger their ancestors shared over England's mistreatment of their ancestors in Ireland. These men of Irish descent persisted in their political activism, even as events of World War I progressed. The Australians felt that their forces were taking greater risks during the war and realizing higher rates of casualties than their Commonwealth mother, Britain. The Australian's complaints were not without justification as she experienced prodigious losses of over 50,000 Australians, nearly one in six of the total Allied force, had been killed or injured[4]. These losses angered the Aussies, especially the labor unions who believed that employers were mandating "economic conscription"[5] by sacking eligible young men and making them eligible for military service.
The unions held considerable influence in the six Australian provinces, but their greatest prestige was in Queensland where they enjoyed the support of its premier, Thomas Joseph Ryan. T.J. Ryan came to power in 1915 supported by the sugar growers who opposed the nearly complete control of the colonial sugar refineries, meat works, construction workers, and miners. Ryan's orientation was definitely socialistic as he introduced legislation to increase employment opportunities (much of it in public works), improvement of food distribution, and legislating open banking rules. One of the more innovative laws he introduced was the creation of an 8 hour day in Oueensland, and in conjunction with his state institutions competed with private food distributors creating one of the most sophisticated welfare states in Australia.
Conscription became a bitter political issue as the war progressed, and Ryan vocalized his opposition of sending Australian men to fight a distant war. In a parliamentary session, he delivered an anti-conscription speech, and in retaliation Australian Prime Minister W. J. Hughes ordered the postal system to stop the distribution of the `Hansard', a Queensland newspaper which printed portions of his speech. Angered by Hughes's actions, Ryan delivered the same speech outside Parliament, but was arrested by the military under the `War Precautions Act'. This act made it illegal to "make false statements about the war effort, but was acquitted with the costs given against the Commonwealth."[6]
A week later Prime Minister Hughes toured Queensland, and at Warwich was hit with a rotten egg thrown by Patrick Brosnan, a man of Irish descent. The Prime Minister ended his trip in a scuffle at the railway station in Warwick while he was delivering another speech. Hughes ordered the police to arrest the protesters, but the police refused which nearly caused a stand-off between the police and federal troops. A significant element of Queensland's residents were of Irish descent, and the events in Europe and the massive conscription of Australia's young men of Irish descent caused the citizens to unite and support this civil disobedience. It was speculated that Irishmen, like Patrick Brosnan, had "stirred up the repression and failure of the Easter Rebellion in Dublin"[7] in 1916, and Hughes presence in Queensland endorsing military conscription was invariably viewed as anti-Irish.
Prime Minister Hughes lodged an official protest with the Queensland government; however, T.J. Ryan refused to treat these matters seriously. As for Brosnan, he was only fined 10 shillings for the eggs incident. Outraged over Ryan`s insensitive reaction, Hughes created the Commonwealth Police Force which was designed to spy on disturbed citizens and enemy agents, but it was eventually criticized because of its espionage activities on "radicals, intellectuals, trade unionists, clerical persons"[8] and many others who differed with Hughes' policies. This event made Ryan a national celebrity, and his subsequent political career made him of Australia's most recognized political celebrities.
He was born at Port Fairy, Victoria in 1876, and before entering politics he worked as a school teacher and lawyer. In 1912 he was elected to the Queensland legislature, and by 1915 he was elected as Premier, Chief Secretary and Attorney General. In 1919 he entered Federal Politics and held the post of deputy leader for the Federal Parliamentary Labor Party, and became heavily involved in many labor related causes. D.F. Murphy in his book "T.J.Ryan: a Political Biography" commented that, "He stood out as a giant among his political contemporaries and remains, perhaps, Queensland's most outstanding Premier."[9] He died while campaigning in Western Queensland in 1921.
American Sports
The Ryans have made their mark in American sports from football to soccer. One of the successful early 20th century athletes bearing the Ryan surname was Elizabeth Ryan whom was regarded as one of tennis' most talented players. She won the women's singles title at Wimbledon in 1921 while T. Tilden won the men's title. A few years later she played Wimbledon again, and in both 1927 and 1928 she won the women's and mixed doubles title:[10]
July 1927 Women's doubles - Helen Wills and Elizabeth Ryan
July 1927 Mixed doubles - Francis T. Hunter and Elizabeth Ryan
July 1928 Mixed doubles - Elizabeth Ryan and P.D.B. Spence of South Africa.
July 1930 Women's doubles - Helen Wills Morley and Elizabeth Ryan.
Perhaps the most remarkable Athlete to share the Ryan surname, or any other surname for that matter, was Nolan Ryan. Ryan, who was born in 1931, had a long career starting with the New York Mets and ending his illustrious career with the Texas Rangers. He was the first pitcher to earn an annual salary of $1 million dollars which he received from the Houston Astros in 1980. His fastball was clocked at 100 mph, however his detractors claimed he lacked control. Once he learned the mechanics of throwing a curve ball, his prominence in baseball history was secured. Some of the records that he set, a career which ended in 1992, included:[11]
Most strikeouts in a season (383)
Most games pitched with 10 or more strikeouts
season ( 23)
Career (215)
Most no-hit games thrown ( 7)
Through 1992, career strikeouts (5,668)
This Texas-born athlete was not the only Ryan to play the game of baseball. Jimmy Ryan, born in 1863, led the National League in Home Runs, hits and doubles in 1888. Blondy Ryan, born in 1906, played for the Giants a few seasons, and Connie Ryan played with the Braves for 12 years. Interestingly, for a sport which demands high performance, Mike Ryan played 12 seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies, but for seven of his major league years, he batted less than 200.[12]
The Ryans have also ennobled themselves in the sport of American Football. One of the most distinguishing quarterbacks this century was Frank Beall Ryan, who while playing football with the Cleveland Browns earned a doctorate. He was a 5th round choice in 1958 and spent four years with the Los Angeles RAMS. In 1962 he was traded to the Browns where his skills earned him a spot in the 1964-1966 Pro Bowls. During his career he completed 1090 of his 2133 passes for 149 touchdowns. At retirement, Ryan ranked seventh among all NFL passers. After his football career, he was employed with Texas Instruments, and developed a computer called the PROBE in 1969. In recent times, another football notable, Buddy Ryan, became another recognizable folk hero in this grid iron sport. He was known as an outspoken and confrontational coach for several National Football League teams including the Houston Oilers, the Philadelphia Eagles, and Phoenix Cardinals.
Before leaving the subject of American sports, one final descendant of Riain must be noted: James Ronald Ryun. Jim Ryan, born in 1947, was an American track star who became the world's fasted middle-distance runner during the 1960s. In 1966, he ran the mile in 3 minutes 51.3 seconds which broke the record held by a Frenchman, Michel Jazy. In the same year, he also broke the record for the 880 yard run with a time of 1 minute and 44.9 seconds. The following year, he set a new record in the 1500 meter with a time of 3 minutes and 22.1 seconds while also breaking his own personal record in the mile with a new time of 3 minutes and 51.1 seconds. Even though his records have been broken since, he created a new excitement in the world of Track & Field which few since him have been able to accomplish.
Conclusion
This story, for the most part, ends just prior to World War II's conclusion. While this represents a relatively significant period of undocumented activity, the Ryans historical importance since the war concluded will undoubtedly be reflected in later writings. From Brigadier General Cornelius Ryan's strategic involvement in World War II to Texas Ranger Nolan Ryan's fast ball of the 90's, the Ryans have played a visible role in many of the world's 20th century events. Some of these episodes show the pride that the Ryans had in being Irish, as seen in the case of Pat Ryan, American Olympic Gold Medalist in the Hammer Throw. Pat emigrated to the United States in 1901, and in 1913 he threw a record 189 feet which remained the world's record until 1937. He also received another gold medal at the 1920 Olympics at Antwerp, but an amusing story surrounding his life describes his affection for the "old sod". As his boat docked in Ireland, there was a group of Englishmen among its passengers, and whenever "the British sang "God Save the King", Pat and his confederates sang out "Wrap the Green Flag Around Me Boys."[13]
The list of accomplished Ryans seems inexhaustible, however, some of the more distinguished 19th and 20th century include military leaders, political revolutionaries, authors and actors. Father John Ryan, a Jesuit priest, helped allied prisoners in Italy escape from Fascist Prisoner of War camps. Finbar Ryan was an archbishop for the Port of Spain and Hugh Ryan was the bishop of Townsville, Australia, in the 1940s. William Patrick Ryan, born in 1868 at Templemore, County Tipperary, founded the "Irish Peasant" a radical periodical which criticized both religious and non-religious organizations for the despair found among Ireland's poor. A.P. Ryan became the literary editor of the 'London Times', and during World War II became an editor for the BBC news. Cornelius Ryan was a writer for Time, Newsweek and Reader's Digest, but it was his literary success with the "Longest Day" which preserved his name in history. The United States military also employed numerous celebrated wartime figures including General W.O. Ryan (d. 1928), Major General Cornelius Ryan (d. 1972), General and Chief of Staff U.S. Airforce John D. Ryan (Vietnam), Major General Michael P. Ryan (Vietnam), Rear Admiral Michael Ryan (d. 1953), and Commander John P.J. Ryan (d. 1918). Their life roles from Ambassadors, such as Thomas and Hewson Ryan in this century, to movie stars like Robert Ryan (leading actor in the 1940's and '50's), Irene Dunn Ryan (Granny on Beverly Hillbillys), and Meg Ryan (Superstar of the 1990s) made the surname Ryan a respected Irish name in 20th century American households.
Although the Ryans may not have played a significant role in its earliest years, unquestionably they have made a significant contribution to the culture, business, and government of many countries once they left Ireland. Other co-located tribes appeared to sire more infamous figures in Irish history, and the mention of this Tipperary family is often overshadowed by some of their historical neighbors whose descendents played a more prominent role in the island kingdom's development. But the Ryan history is 'everyman's history'. Not every Gaelic family produced charismatic or powerful leaders, but then again Hibernia's history describes relatively few who fit this category anyway. The ancient annals briefly mention great leaders by name, but their descriptive brevity challenges even the greatest historian regarding their importance. Folk lore has helped maintain the great heritage of the Celtic king or cleric, but over time many became deified and their heroics took on magical proportions.
The Ryans and their ancestor's significance (or lack thereof) in Ireland's historical affairs should not indicate that their lineage never produced greatness. Irish antiquity, for the most part, was recorded by annalists who wrote for the patrons that employed them, and therefore, much of what we know about early Ireland represents a memoir of their benefactor's careers. If the Ryans had employed their personal scribes, their history has been misplaced over the centuries. As the years passed, they remained secluded even though they became a very powerful north Munster tribe. To a larger degree the Leinster Ryans were more visible, though they were often overshadowed by their more powerful neighbors such as the MacMurroughs, O'Tools and O'Byrnes. Gaelic lords such as the O'Briens, Mac Carthys, and O'Carrolls were more militant than the O'Mulryans; moreover, this militancy was probably forced upon them as settlers attempted to steal their ancient possessions. The terrain of the O'Mulryans, on the other hand, was very rugged and mountainous; and as a result the land was less desirable for settlement by English farmers. The fertile valleys of the Golden Vale, just south of Owney-on-O'Mulryan, were more acceptable; and the local Gaelic population, for the most part, had been relocated through centuries of warfare and royal mandates. The confiscation of the Ryan patrimony, even in Gaelic Leinster, appeared late in Irish history, and when this happened, it forced them to become more aggressive with their English masters. This probably explains why little information regarding their early history was documented, and why they achieved greater prominence in recent times, particularly after Cromwell's rampage.
The Ryans can be proud of their heritage. They have made significant contributions to both the Catholic and Episcopalean churches, they have achieved eminence in governmental circles, they have produced great inventors and entrepreneurs, they have achieved high levels in sports, and their heritage shows them as major contributors to the arts and literature. The progenitor of this great family, Riain, has over 100,000 living descendents, and their contributions and visibility will continue to give new meaning to the Ryan motto: Malo mori quam foedari.