His first biography, written by his friend and collaborator Duffy, was published in 1890, and is an invaluable source for Davis's life and his part in the Irish nationalist struggle. Duffy's work was as well a eulogy, presenting Davis in so favorable a light that he seems at times unreal. To provide a more thorough, objective portrait of Davis, historian Helen F. Mulvey here presents a scholarly examination of Davis's life and thoughts.".