Éamon de Valera Biography

Eamon de Valera was an Irish politician and patriot, one of the leaders of Ireland's struggle for independence from the United Kingdom. A major political figure in 20th century Ireland, de Valera had served multiple terms as the Taoiseach (prime minister), and the president of the nation at different points of time. He is also credited to have introduced the Constitution of Ireland. He was born in America to a Spanish father and an Irish mother, and endured a very difficult childhood after the death of his father. He was then sent to live in Ireland with his grandmother. He grew up to be an intelligent and athletic young man who also evolved into a passionate patriot. He embarked on a career as a teacher and became involved in Gaelic revival—national revival of interest in the Irish language. He also joined the Irish Volunteers and played a very significant role in the anti-British Easter Rising in Dublin. He was a member of the Sinn Féin party which was associated with extreme nationalist sentiment during the Easter Rising, and eventually became its president. Following Irish independence, he emerged as one of the most dominant figures in Irish politics.