Heroes of the Great Hunger – Famine Aid in the 1840s

The history of the Great Hunger is rooted in stories of greed, racism and senseless suffering. However there are also amazing stories of compassion and solidarity that saved thousands of lives.

While it can be difficult not to focus on the disastrous actions of the British Government, it is also important to remember the forgotten heroes of the Great Famine – the Victorian equivalent of aid workers.

This podcast brings you the story some of these unlikely heroes from a Polish Count Pawel Strzelecki to the Evangelical Protestant from Vermont Asenath Nicholson. Their stories of sacrifice in the 1840s are remarkable. The podcast also looks at the stories of generosity among slaves, native americans and prisoners who donated money to the famine relief despite facing extreme hardships themsleves.

Thanks to Olga Jazienicka for the help with the polish pronouniations