Daniel O'Connell

Born: August 6, 1775, County Kerry
Died: May 15, 1847, Genoa

     Unlike a number of the world's political revolutionaries, Daniel O'Connell committed himself to non-violent strategies for change. In fact, he is known for his sentiment, "Not for all the universe contains would I consent to the effusion of a single drop of human blood, except my own." He never reneged on his statement. O'Connell motivated the downtrodden Catholic masses in Ireland to be more active in politics and to demand civil rights. His role in passing Catholic Emancipation is tremendously important: Catholics could now take part openly in legislative and judicial processes.

     For more on Daniel O'Connell, please see http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/people/daniel.htm.
     For more on Catholic Emancipation, please see http://www.irelandseye.com/aarticles/history/events/dates/emanc.shtm.