Irish Patriot. The son of a coach-maker, he educated at Trinity College Dublin and the Middle Temple, London. He is considered the first apostle of Irish Union, and one of the most illustrious martyr of Irish independence. In 1791 he published the pamphlet "An Argument on Behalf of the Catholics of Ireland" and the same year founded the Society of United Irishmen with Thomas Russell and James Napper Tandy. He was tried for Treason and sentenced to death by the British. While he was on trial he made this statement from the dock: "From my earliest youth I have regarded the connection between Ireland and Great Britain as the curse of the Irish nation, and felt convinced, that while it lasted, this country would never be free or happy. In consequence, I determined to apply all the powers which my individual efforts could move, in order to separate the two countries. That Ireland was not able, of herself, to throw off the yoke, I knew. I therefore sought for aid wherever it was to be found… Under the flag of the French Republic I originally engaged with a view to save and liberate my own country. For that purpose I have encountered the chances of war amongst strangers: for that purpose I have repeatedly braved the terrors of the ocean, covered as I knew it to be with the triumphant fleets of that Power which it was my glory and my duty to oppose. I have sacrificed all my views in life; I have courted poverty; I have left a beloved wife unprotected, and children which I adored, fatherless. After such sacrifices, in a cause which I have always considered as the cause of justice and freedom - it is no great effort at this day to add the sacrifice of my life." Theobald Wolfe Tone was then sentenced to death by hanging. He requested a military death by firing squad but the British refused on grounds that he was found guilty of treason and had no rights as a soldier. He was taken to his cell and cut his own throat on November 12th, 1798 with a penknife to deny the British the satisfaction of hanging him. He died in extreme pain and agony from the wound seven days later.
Irish Patriot. The son of a coach-maker, he educated at Trinity College Dublin and the Middle Temple, London. He is considered the first apostle of Irish Union, and one of the most illustrious martyr of Irish independence. In 1791 he published the pamphlet "An Argument on Behalf of the Catholics of Ireland" and the same year founded the Society of United Irishmen with Thomas Russell and James Napper Tandy. He was tried for Treason and sentenced to death by the British. While he was on trial he made this statement from the dock: "From my earliest youth I have regarded the connection between Ireland and Great Britain as the curse of the Irish nation, and felt convinced, that while it lasted, this country would never be free or happy. In consequence, I determined to apply all the powers which my individual efforts could move, in order to separate the two countries. That Ireland was not able, of herself, to throw off the yoke, I knew. I therefore sought for aid wherever it was to be found… Under the flag of the French Republic I originally engaged with a view to save and liberate my own country. For that purpose I have encountered the chances of war amongst strangers: for that purpose I have repeatedly braved the terrors of the ocean, covered as I knew it to be with the triumphant fleets of that Power which it was my glory and my duty to oppose. I have sacrificed all my views in life; I have courted poverty; I have left a beloved wife unprotected, and children which I adored, fatherless. After such sacrifices, in a cause which I have always considered as the cause of justice and freedom - it is no great effort at this day to add the sacrifice of my life." Theobald Wolfe Tone was then sentenced to death by hanging. He requested a military death by firing squad but the British refused on grounds that he was found guilty of treason and had no rights as a soldier. He was taken to his cell and cut his own throat on November 12th, 1798 with a penknife to deny the British the satisfaction of hanging him. He died in extreme pain and agony from the wound seven days later.
Bio by: Michael Sadaj
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