Michael Collins
Michael Collins (16 October 1890 – 22 August 1922) was an Irish leader, rebel and soldier. Born a farmer's son in County Cork, he was recruited into the Irish Republican Brotherhood, the secret rebel movement, at the age of 19. He became aide-de-camp to one of the leaders, Joseph Plunkett.
During the Easter Rising of 1916, he was one of the occupiers of the Dublin General Post Office. Following the surrender, he was imprisoned and narrowly escaped execution. During his internment in Wales, his leadership abilities became apparent and he soon became a member of the executive of Sinn Féin and a leader within the Irish Volunteers.
By the start of the Irish War of Independence, Collins had become a crucial and effective leader of the Irish Republican Army. In 1921, at Éamon de Valera's behest, he led the Irish delegation during the Anglo-Irish Treaty negotiations in London. The resulting treaty was unacceptable to de Valera (according Ireland only dominion status rather than full independence), and was the direct cause of the Irish Civil War. Collins led the nascent Irish Free State's army, fighting for the pro-Treaty side , as its Commander-in-Chief. He was killed in an ambush in Béal na mBláth, Cork, on 22nd August, 1922.
See also
Bibliography
- "Michael Collins: A Biography": Tim Pat Coogan, Arrow Books, 1991. ISBN-13: 978-0099685807.