Irish Nationalist. He began his military career in British Colonial service in the late 19th century. He was known for being a poet as well as a diplomat to Germany. He was knighted in 1911 for his activities, which included exposure of colonial brutalities and exploitation against the natives in the Congo and Peru. He was born into an Anglo-Irish family. After joining the Irish Volunteers in 1913, he denounced his position as a diplomat to Germany in 1915 during World War I. At that point, he traveled to Germany hoping for support for an independent Ireland and attempted to raise an Irish Brigade to fight against England, which was viewed as an act of treason during wartime. For this effort, there is a plaque in Bavaria, Germany, honoring him. He arranged for German arms to be shipped in 1916 to support the Easter Rising, but the British captured these. He himself had hoped to stop the rising, but was captured, tried and condemned for treason. His knighthood was removed. An appeal for a reprieve was damaged by the "leaking" of diaries claiming his homosexual activities, which was an unlawful act. Even into the 21st century, a longtime debate continues about the diaries being genuinely his or forgeries to damage his character. In 1916 he was hanged in Pentonville Prison. Eventually and with much protest, his remains were returned to Ireland in 1965 when they were given a state funeral at Glasnevin. Both Ireland and Denmark have issued postage stamps honoring him.
Irish Nationalist. He began his military career in British Colonial service in the late 19th century. He was known for being a poet as well as a diplomat to Germany. He was knighted in 1911 for his activities, which included exposure of colonial brutalities and exploitation against the natives in the Congo and Peru. He was born into an Anglo-Irish family. After joining the Irish Volunteers in 1913, he denounced his position as a diplomat to Germany in 1915 during World War I. At that point, he traveled to Germany hoping for support for an independent Ireland and attempted to raise an Irish Brigade to fight against England, which was viewed as an act of treason during wartime. For this effort, there is a plaque in Bavaria, Germany, honoring him. He arranged for German arms to be shipped in 1916 to support the Easter Rising, but the British captured these. He himself had hoped to stop the rising, but was captured, tried and condemned for treason. His knighthood was removed. An appeal for a reprieve was damaged by the "leaking" of diaries claiming his homosexual activities, which was an unlawful act. Even into the 21st century, a longtime debate continues about the diaries being genuinely his or forgeries to damage his character. In 1916 he was hanged in Pentonville Prison. Eventually and with much protest, his remains were returned to Ireland in 1965 when they were given a state funeral at Glasnevin. Both Ireland and Denmark have issued postage stamps honoring him.
Bio by: Linda Davis
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