Sir, – Eda Sagarra, in the piece "Ireland's first diplomat 'a travelling salesman for the Free State'" (Books, May 28th), stated that the "substantial holdings in our national archives dealing with Timothy Smiddy's public career as academic, diplomat, public servant and advisor to the Government" have hitherto been little explored. May I point out that I explored those very archives and others to complete my thesis, Professor TA Smiddy 1875-1962, for the degree of Masters of Literature (Research) for the NUI, Maynooth. – Yours, etc,
PAUL M GAFFNEY,
Straffan,
Co Kildare.