Patrick Pearse

Patrick Pearse

Novermber 10, 1879-May 3, 1916

Patrick Pearse was an Irish Nationalist leader. Born in 1879, he grew up amongst some of the first waves leading to the great Nationalist movements of the twentieth century. He joined the Gaelic Revival at the age of 16, leading to his greater involvement in Irish interests against British rule. A traditional Irish Republican, Pearse believed that bloodshed was a necessary component in securing home rule for the Irish. Despite Irish Nationalist attempts to pass the Home Rule Bill in 1913, Pearse and his peers claimed that these motions did not do enough for the Irish, pitting his opinion against that of Nationalist John Redmond. This somewhat violent passion led to the formation and arming of several citizen armies and militant groups, many of which were eventually responsible for the Easter Rising of 1916. Pearse issued the orders to both begin the rising on Easter Sunday and surrender 6 days later after a grueling fight. He was executed by firing squad with other resistance leaders on 3 May 1916.

Corbett, Robin, and Keith Jeffery. Northern Ireland: The Divided Province. New York: Crescent Books, 1985. Print.

Politics

Adelyn Gillon

Crescent Books

10 November 1879

Dublin, Ireland

3 May 1916

Nationalist Leader