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In his devout Catholicism, his rejection of material ostentation, his determination to revive the Irish language, and his inability to comprehend Protestant Ulster's fears of Catholic domination, de Valera was representative of his generation in southern Ireland.   

In his devout Catholicism, his rejection of material ostentation, his determination to revive the Irish language, and his inability to comprehend Protestant Ulster's fears of Catholic domination, de Valera was representative of his generation in southern Ireland.   

== Early Life ==

== Early life ==

De Valera was born in New York City to an Irish mother, Catherine Coll de Valera, who had immigrated from [[County Limerick]], and Vivion de Valera, a Spanish artist.  The father died in 1885, and the young Éamon went to live in Ireland with his uncle in Bruree, Limerick.  At 16, de Valera enrolled at Blackrock College in [[Dublin]], and won several scholarships and awards.  In 1903 he was hired as a mathematics teacher at Rockwell College in [[County Tipperary]].  He later returned to teach at Blackrock College after earing a mathematics degree from the Royal University of Ireland.

De Valera was born in New York City to an Irish mother, Catherine Coll de Valera, who had immigrated from [[County Limerick]], and Vivion de Valera, a Spanish artist.  The father died in 1885, and the young Éamon went to live in Ireland with his uncle in Bruree, Limerick.  At 16, de Valera enrolled at Blackrock College in [[Dublin]], and won several scholarships and awards.  In 1903 he was hired as a mathematics teacher at Rockwell College in [[County Tipperary]].  He later returned to teach at Blackrock College after earing a mathematics degree from the Royal University of Ireland.

== Easter Rising ==

== Easter Rising ==

When the Rising began, on April 24, 1916, de Valera's forces occupied Boland's Mill in Dublin.  There have been conflicting reports as to his performance during Easter Week; supporters claim he showed excellent leadership skills and tactical ability, while detractors claim that he suffered a nervous breakdown<ref>Coogan, ''De Valera:  Long Fellow, Long Shadow.''  (1993)</ref>. Following the rebels' surrender, de Valera was sentenced to death by the British.  His sentence was commuted to life in prison largely as a result of his American citizenship and the fact that at the time the British were trying to convince the United States to join [[World War I]] and feared that his execution would inflame [[Catholic Irish|Irish-American]] public opinion.  De Valera was released along with the other prisoners in June 1917.

When the Rising began, on April 24, 1916, de Valera's forces occupied Boland's Mill in Dublin.  There have been conflicting reports as to his performance during Easter Week; supporters claim he showed excellent leadership skills and tactical ability, while detractors claim that he suffered a nervous breakdown.<ref>Coogan, ''De Valera:  Long Fellow, Long Shadow.''  (1993)</ref>  Following the rebels' surrender, de Valera was sentenced to death by the British.  His sentence was commuted to life in prison largely as a result of his American citizenship and the fact that at the time the British were trying to convince the United States to join [[World War I]] and feared that his execution would inflame [[Catholic Irish|Irish-American]] public opinion.  De Valera was released along with the other prisoners in June 1917.

The Easter Rising transformed Irish politics, making independence (rather than home rule under British supervision) the goal.

The Easter Rising transformed Irish politics, making independence (rather than home rule under British supervision) the goal.

{{DEFAULTSORT:de Valera, Eamon}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:de Valera, Eamon}}

[[category:Irish Taoisigh]]

[[Category:Irish Taoisigh]]

[[Category:Ireland]]

[[Category:Ireland]]

[[Category:British History]]

[[Category:British History]]

[[Category:Irish History]]

[[Category:Irish History]]

[[Category:British Empire]]

[[Category:British Empire]]