John Ford

John Ford (February 1, 1894 – August 31, 1973) was one of the most accomplished American film directors of the 1930s to 1960s, known particularly as a director of the Westerns, although his tributes to the veterans of World War II and Americana are also equally effective. In recent years, it has been claimed that his westerns, particularly The Searchers, portray Native Americans in an unflattering light.

From Feeney to Ford

He was born John Martin Feeney in Cape Elizabeth, Maine to John Augustine Feeney and Barbara (Abbey) Curren, both of whom were born in Spiddal{{fn|1}}, County Galway, Ireland in 1856. John A. Feeney's grandmother, Barbara Morris, was said to be a member of a local (impoverished) gentry family, the Morris's of Spiddal, presently headed by Redmond Morris, 3rd Lord Killanin. John Augustine and Abbey arrived in Boston and Portland within a few days of each other in May and June 1872, were married in 1875, and became American citizens three years later. They had eleven children: Maime (Mary Agnes), born 1876; Delia (Edith), 1878-1881; Patrick; Francis; Bridget, 1883-84; Barbara, born and died 1888; Edward, born 1889; Josephine, born 1891; Hannah (Joanna), born and died 1892; John, 1894-1973; and Daniel, born/died 1896. Many of his films contain direct and indirect references to his ancestral heritage.

Related Topics:
Cape Elizabeth, Maine - Spiddal - County Galway - Ireland - Lord Killanin - Boston - Portland

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Ford began acting in 1914, adopting the name "Ford" as a more acceptable stage name.

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