Valera, Eamon de

Valera, Eamon de (1882-1975), Irish statesman, b. New York, USA.

The son of a Spanish father and an Irish mother, Eamon de Valera was brought up on a farm, in Co. Limerick, Ireland.

At this time, the Republic of Ireland, as it is known today, was part of the United Kingdom and governed by the British Parliament.

De Valera became a mathematics teacher but, in 1916, he took part in a rebellion against the British. He was captured and sentenced to death, but instead was sent to prison and later pardoned.

He continued plotting to make Ireland free and, in 1918, he was arrested and put in prison in England. This time he escaped when other freedom fighters carried out a raid on the prison.

In 1921, Ireland (except the six northern counties) was granted freedom from Britain.

De Valera started a new political party Fianna Fail (Soldiers of Destiny).

In 1932, they won the elections and de Valera became leader of the government.

As Prime Minister of Ireland, 'Dev', as he was nicknamed, kept his country out of the Second World War (1939-45).

He retired as Prime Minister in 1959 and was elected President.

See Judging Dev: A Reassessment of the Life and Legacy of Eamon De Valera ~ Diarmaid Ferriter