Eamon de Valera (1882 - 1975)

De Valera's work and life saw the resurgence of the Irish culture and nation.

The child of a Spanish father and an Irish mother, de Valera was born in New York City, but moved to Ireland upon the death of his father. He became a teacher of mathematics and an avid supporter of the Irish language movement.

In 1913 he joined the Irish Volunteers, who wanted home rule for Ireland. By 1916 he was a leader in the group and was the last commander to surrender in the anti-British Easter Uprising. Arrested, he was saved from a death sentence because of his American birth and instead received a sentence of life imprisonment.

The Amnesty of 1917 made him a free man. That same year, he became a member of Parliament and president of Sinn Fein. In 1918, Britain attempted to impose conscription on the Irish and de Valera led the resistance. Imprisoned, he escaped in early 1919, and made a hero. He toured the United States, where he successfully raised funds for Irish independence.

Meanwhile, back in Ireland, the revolutionary Parliament (Dail Eireann) that declared the country independent, had appointed de Valera president. He returned to Ireland in 1920, to find the country in a near-war against British rule.

The British offer of independence in 1921 was opposed by de Valera for two reasons: Northern Ireland was excluded from the treaty, and Irish officials would have to swear allegiance to the crown. However, Michael Collins signed the treaty, enraging de Valera. The treaty was passed by a narrow margin in the Dail and de Valera resigned as president.

The years of civil war that followed were deplored by de Valera, and he refused to enter his Fianna Fail party into the government until 1927. His party took control of the Dail in 1932, and he headed the government. He declared constitutional independence from Britain, with the consequence of a tariff war with England.

In 1937 he introduced a new constitution that made Ireland a sovereign state, and gave himself the title of taoiseach (prime minister). He would be re-elected to that role again in 1948, 1951 and 1957. Failing eyesight caused him to take on the less demanding role of president of the republic, to which he was elected in 1959 and 1966. He served in that role until the age of 90.